New Hampshire executor and estate paperwork checklist

This is an organizer, not legal advice. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation.

The first 30 days

Plain steps that apply wherever the person lived, with the small estate dates for this state. Ticks stay on your screen only.

1. Ask for certified death certificates, more than you thinkThe funeral director or vital records office issues them. Institutions often keep the copy you send, so plan on one each.
2. Check that Social Security has been toldThe funeral home usually reports it. Otherwise call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), and ask about the $255 lump-sum death payment for a surviving spouse or some children.
3. Locate the signed will and any changesThe signed original matters more than a copy. Keep it whole and somewhere safe, and note who else has a copy.
4. See whether a self-proving affidavit is attachedIt's a sworn page signed by the witnesses, usually at the end of the will; the rule for this state is below.
5. Protect the propertyChange locks if keys are out, keep insurance paid, and have the mail forwarded so bills and statements reach you.
6. Don't pay bills or hand out belongings yetFirst learn which route fits and who is allowed to act; ask the probate office or an attorney about anything urgent.
7. Stop using the person's power of attorneyA power of attorney ends at the principal's death, so an agent under it can't act for the estate.
8. Start an inventoryEvery account, property, vehicle and debt, with how each is held. Beneficiary and joint accounts usually pass directly, not through the estate.
9. Start the estate ledgerRecord every dollar in and out with a receipt: funeral costs, bills paid, money collected.
10. Get the estate its own tax number and bank accountThe IRS asks for an EIN before the estate's Form 1041, which applies once the estate has more than $600 of gross income in a year.

Sources for the federal steps: Social Security Administration: When someone dies · IRS: Deceased taxpayers, filing the estate income tax return (Form 1041) · power of attorney: Power of attorney at a real estate closing.

The small estate route

• Not confirmedSmall estate limit

  Not confirmed — check New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32).

• Not confirmedWaiting period after the death

  Not confirmed — check New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32).

• ConfirmedNotary or oath

  Sworn; a notary can give the oath. The administrator's statement for summary administration is made under oath.

  Sources: New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32); RSA 553:33, Summary administration (New Hampshire General Court), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes

  Through a court office. Starts with a Petition for Estate Administration (NHJB-2145-Pe) to the court.

  Sources: New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32); RSA 553:33, Summary administration (New Hampshire General Court), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedOfficial form

  NHJB-2144-Pe, Waiver of Full Administration Statement. Filed after appointment with NHJB-2145-Pe.

  Source: New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSimplified court procedure

  Waiver of administration (RSA 553:32) and summary administration (RSA 553:33): Waiver: for a qualifying administrator such as a surviving spouse who is sole heir. Summary administration: a motion at least 6 months after appointment, with a sworn statement and the beneficiaries' assents. Neither sets a dollar limit.

  Sources: New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32); RSA 553:33, Summary administration (New Hampshire General Court), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSurviving spouse

  A surviving spouse who is the sole heir and is appointed administrator may qualify.

  Sources: New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32); RSA 553:33, Summary administration (New Hampshire General Court), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWorth knowing

  the state has no small estate affidavit with a dollar limit on the official pages we read; both simplified routes start with an appointment by the court.

  Sources: New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32); RSA 553:33, Summary administration (New Hampshire General Court), checked November 2026

The will at probate

Signing rules for wills, as they bear on getting the will accepted.

• ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed

  Two or more witnesses, who sign at the testator's request and in the testator's presence.

  "Be signed by 2 or more credible witnesses"

  Sources: RSA 551:2, Requirements (New Hampshire General Court); RSA 551:2-a, Self-proved wills (New Hampshire General Court); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in New Hampshire (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSelf-proving affidavit

  Allowed. The sworn acknowledgment is made before a notary public, a justice of the peace or another official authorized to administer oaths where the will is signed.

  "a notary public, a justice of the peace"

  Sources: RSA 551:2, Requirements (New Hampshire General Court); RSA 551:2-a, Self-proved wills (New Hampshire General Court); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in New Hampshire (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedIf the will is handwritten

  Not recognized, per Nolo's New Hampshire page (updated September 2025).

  "the state doesn't allow this type of handwritten will."

  Source: Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in New Hampshire (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedA witness who inherits

  An interested witness can lose the gift left to them (Nolo, citing RSA 551:3).

  Source: Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in New Hampshire (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

Documents to gather

• Certified death certificates
• The original will and any codicils
• Deeds and mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• Recent bank, brokerage and retirement statements
• Life insurance policies and annuities
• The last few years of tax returns
• Recent bills, loan and credit card statements
• Pension, Social Security and benefit letters
• Safe deposit box location and keys
• The official small estate form: NHJB-2144-Pe, Waiver of Full Administration Statement

Who to notify

Life insurance companies, Utilities and phone, Landlord or mortgage servicer, Credit card companies, Pension or employer, Social Security (if the funeral home hasn't), Banks and credit unions, Brokerage and retirement accounts. Send a short letter with a copy of the death certificate, and keep a log of who you told and when.

Documents needed abroad

• ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad

  Apostilles for this state's documents come from the New Hampshire Secretary of State. $10 per document, cash or check payable to the State of the state. Vital records: Request an original copy from the local town or city clerk.

  Source: New Hampshire Secretary of State, checked November 2026

Where to ask

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Official pages for the state:

• New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32)
• RSA 553:33, Summary administration (New Hampshire General Court)
• RSA 551:2, Requirements (New Hampshire General Court)
• RSA 551:2-a, Self-proved wills (New Hampshire General Court)

Still to confirm

• Small estate limit: check New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32)
• Waiting period after the death: check New Hampshire Judicial Branch: What is waiver of administration? (RSA 553:32)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Facts checked November 2026.

Common questions

Related: Executor guide by state · Will signing requirements · Apostille steps · Estate paperwork help