Notice to Creditors: How Estate Debt Claims Work
The short answer
In a probate case, the personal representative usually has to tell the deceased person’s creditors that the estate is open — often by publishing a notice in a newspaper and by writing directly to creditors they know about. That notice starts a clock. Once the state’s claim window closes, most debts that were not filed in time can no longer be collected from the estate. The window is set by state law and is commonly a few months long.
Why the notice exists
An estate cannot stay open forever. Heirs need their inheritance and the personal representative needs to know the job is finished. The notice to creditors is what makes that possible: it gives anyone owed money a fair, public chance to come forward, and in exchange it sets a deadline after which they generally cannot. Without it, a creditor could surface years later, after the money has already been distributed.
There are usually two halves to it. A published notice goes in a newspaper that circulates where the case was filed — that covers creditors nobody knew existed. Direct written notice goes to the creditors the representative does know about or could reasonably find, such as a credit card issuer that has been sending statements. Courts take the second half seriously: a creditor you knew about and did not write to may keep its claim alive past the published deadline.
What starts the clock
Notifying creditors is one step in settling an estate, and it has to happen in the right order relative to the rest. Go Forward builds the full sequence for your situation and keeps track of what is still open.
Build my plan →Steps this page connects to: Build the creditor list from the mail · Track claim deadlines · Prepare notification letters to creditors
- In most states the window runs from the date the notice is first published, not from the date of death and not from the date the case was opened.
- A creditor given direct written notice often gets its own window, measured from when that letter was sent.
- Many states also set an outer limit measured from the date of death, which caps claims no matter when — or whether — a notice was published.
Publication requirement and claim window by state
Each row links to the statute or court page we read and shows the date we read it. Where a state could not be confirmed on an official page, the row says so instead of guessing — the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed is the right place to ask.
Alabama
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
Ala. Code § 43-2-350 (publication duty in § 43-2-60, not opened) — not confirmed on an official page
Alaska
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. Creditors who weren't notified have up to 3 years after the death.
AS 13.16.450 (cited from knowledge; the court page does not cite it) — official page read September 18, 2026
Arizona
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published.
A.R.S. § 14-3801 (outer limit in § 14-3803 not opened) — official page read September 18, 2026
Arkansas
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
Ark. Code Ann. §§ 28-40-111, 28-50-101 — not confirmed on an official page
California
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- the later of 4 months after the court appoints the estate's representative, or 60 days after a creditor is mailed notice. Claims are also cut off 1 year after the death.
Cal. Prob. Code §§ 8120, 9100 — official page read September 18, 2026
Colorado
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
C.R.S. § 15-12-801 — not confirmed on an official page
Connecticut
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- generally 150 days. The probate court publishes the notice itself.
C.G.S. §§ 45a-354, 45a-356, 45a-357 — official page read September 18, 2026
Delaware
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 8 months after the death.
12 Del. C. §§ 2101, 2102 — official page read September 18, 2026
District of Columbia
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 6 months after the notice is first published.
D.C. Code § 20-903 — official page read September 18, 2026
Florida
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- the later of 3 months after the notice is first published, or 30 days after a known creditor is served. All claims are cut off 2 years after the death.
Fla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702, 733.710 — official page read September 18, 2026
Georgia
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 3 months after the last published notice. Late claims lose their place in line but aren't fully cut off.
O.C.G.A. § 53-7-41 — official page read September 18, 2026
Hawaii
- Published notice:
- optional
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. If no notice is published, claims are cut off 18 months after the death.
HRS §§ 560:3-801, 560:3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Idaho
- Published notice:
- optional
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 3 years after the death.
Idaho Code §§ 15-3-801, 15-3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Illinois
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- at least 6 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 2 years after the death.
755 ILCS 5/18-3, 5/18-12 — official page read September 18, 2026
Indiana
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
Ind. Code §§ 29-1-7-7, 29-1-14-1 — not confirmed on an official page
Iowa
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the second published notice, or 1 month after a known creditor is mailed notice, whichever is later.
Iowa Code §§ 633.230, 633.410 — official page read September 18, 2026
Kansas
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published.
K.S.A. 59-2236, 59-2239 — official page read September 18, 2026
Kentucky
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 6 months after the estate's representative is appointed. If no one is appointed, 2 years after the death.
KRS 396.011; KRS 424.340 — official page read September 18, 2026
Louisiana
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
La. C.C.P. arts. 3303-3307 — not confirmed on an official page
Maine
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 9 months after the death.
18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-801, 3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Maryland
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- the earlier of 6 months after the death, or 2 months after a creditor is mailed notice.
Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 7-103, 8-103 — official page read September 18, 2026
Massachusetts
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803 — not confirmed on an official page
Michigan
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is published. Without notice, 3 years after the death.
MCL 700.3801, 700.3803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Minnesota
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 1 year after the death.
Minn. Stat. §§ 524.3-801, 524.3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Mississippi
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-7-145, 91-7-151 — not confirmed on an official page
Missouri
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 6 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 1 year after the death.
RSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360 — official page read September 18, 2026
Montana
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 1 year after the death.
Mont. Code Ann. §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Nebraska
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 2 months after the notice is first published. Without notice, 3 years after the death.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-2483, 30-2485 — official page read September 18, 2026
Nevada
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 90 days after the notice is first published.
NRS 147.010, 147.040, 155.020 — official page read September 18, 2026
New Hampshire
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 6 months after the court appoints the estate's representative.
RSA 553:16, 556:1, 556:3 — official page read September 18, 2026
New Jersey
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
N.J.S.A. 3B:22-4 — not confirmed on an official page
New Mexico
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
NMSA 1978 §§ 45-3-801, 45-3-803 — not confirmed on an official page
New York
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
SCPA § 1802 — not confirmed on an official page
North Carolina
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- at least 3 months after the notice is first published.
N.C.G.S. § 28A-14-1 — official page read September 18, 2026
North Dakota
- Published notice:
- optional
- Claim window:
- 3 months after the notice is first published. Without notice, 3 years after the death.
N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-19-01, 30.1-19-03 — official page read September 18, 2026
Ohio
- Published notice:
- not required
- Claim window:
- 6 months after the death.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2117.06 — official page read September 18, 2026
Oklahoma
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- at least 2 months after the notice is filed with the court.
58 O.S. § 331 — official page read September 18, 2026
Oregon
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is published.
ORS 113.155; ORS 115.005 — official page read September 18, 2026
Pennsylvania
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- no fixed cutoff, but 1 year after the first notice the estate's representative is protected from claims they didn't know about.
20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3162, 3532 — official page read September 18, 2026
Rhode Island
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 33-11-5, 33-11-5.1 — not confirmed on an official page
South Carolina
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 8 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 1 year after the death.
S.C. Code §§ 62-3-801, 62-3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
South Dakota
- Published notice:
- optional
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 3 years after the death.
SDCL §§ 29A-3-801, 29A-3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Tennessee
We could not confirm this state’s rule on an official page. Ask the probate clerk in the county where the case is filed.
Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-310 — not confirmed on an official page
Texas
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- no fixed cutoff. Claims can be made until the estate is closed.
Tex. Est. Code §§ 308.051, 308.054, 355.001, 355.060 — official page read September 18, 2026
Utah
- Published notice:
- optional
- Claim window:
- 3 months after the notice is first published. All claims are cut off 1 year after the death.
Utah Code §§ 75-3-801, 75-3-803 — official page read September 18, 2026
Vermont
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. Without notice, 1 year after the death.
14 V.S.A. §§ 1201, 1203 — official page read September 18, 2026
Virginia
- Published notice:
- optional
- Claim window:
- no single deadline. The estate's representative can ask the court to set one.
Va. Code §§ 64.2-550, 64.2-556 — official page read September 18, 2026
Washington
- Published notice:
- optional
- Claim window:
- 4 months after the notice is first published. Without notice, 24 months after the death.
RCW 11.40.020, 11.40.051 — official page read September 18, 2026
West Virginia
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 60 days after the notice is first published.
W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a — official page read September 18, 2026
Wisconsin
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 3 to 4 months after the court's order, on a date the court sets.
Wis. Stat. §§ 859.01, 859.02, 859.07 — official page read September 18, 2026
Wyoming
- Published notice:
- required
- Claim window:
- 3 months after the notice is first published.
Wyo. Stat. §§ 2-7-201, 2-7-205, 2-7-703 — official page read September 18, 2026
If you are the personal representative
- Ask the court clerk for the exact wording and the approved newspapers. Courts are particular about both, and a notice published in the wrong paper may not count.
- Go through the mail and the last twelve months of statements to build a list of known creditors before you publish, so the direct letters go out alongside the notice.
- Keep the proof. The newspaper’s affidavit of publication and your mailing records are what demonstrate the deadline was validly set.
- Do not distribute anything to heirs until the window has closed and valid claims are paid. A representative who pays heirs first can be personally on the hook for what is left owing.
If a collector is calling you personally
Being someone’s child, sibling or friend does not make you responsible for their debts, and being the personal representative does not make the estate’s debts yours. A collector may contact the representative about filing a claim against the estate. If one tells you that you personally owe the money, ask them to put that in writing and check it against whether you actually signed anything. A probate attorney can tell you in one call whether a claim is even valid.
Sources
Each state above links to the statute or court page we read, with the date we read it.
How we source and review these pages, and how to tell us about a mistake: our editorial policy.