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    New Hampshire guide

    What to do when someone dies in New Hampshire

    New Hampshire keeps things relatively simple: no state income tax and no state estate tax. Probate runs through the Probate Division of Circuit Court. The surviving spouse can waive the will and take one-third of the estate if the deceased had children, or a larger share if not.

    Content updated: October 2026

    What's unique in New Hampshire

    State-specific rules that affect how an estate is handled here.

    No income tax, no estate tax

    New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages and no state estate tax. This significantly simplifies the financial side of settling an estate — only federal obligations may apply.

    Probate Division of Circuit Court

    New Hampshire probate runs through the Probate Division of Circuit Court in the county where the deceased lived. Voluntary administration is available for qualifying smaller estates.

    Elective share rights

    A surviving spouse in New Hampshire can waive the will and take one-third of the estate if the deceased had children, or a larger share if not.

    DMV vehicle transfer

    Vehicle title transfers in New Hampshire go through the Division of Motor Vehicles. Submit the title with estate documentation to your local DMV office.

    A glimpse at what Order covers in New Hampshire

    These are just a few of the New Hampshire-specific tasks Order surfaces automatically when you select your state.

    File for New Hampshire probate in Circuit CourtLegal & Estate

    New Hampshire probate runs through the Probate Division of Circuit Court. Voluntary administration available for qualifying smaller estates. File in the county where the deceased lived.

    Review New Hampshire elective share rightsLegal & Estate

    Surviving spouse may waive the will and take one-third of the estate if the deceased had children, or a larger share if not — must act within the required timeframe after the estate is opened.

    Confirm no New Hampshire state income tax or estate tax filing is neededFinancial Affairs

    New Hampshire has no broad-based income tax and no state estate tax — only federal obligations may apply. This materially simplifies the financial side of the estate.

    Plus dozens more tasks across all 8 categories: funeral arrangements, digital accounts, dependents, and more.

    Official resources for New Hampshire

    New Hampshire Circuit Court Probate DivisionFile probate in the county Circuit Court Probate Division and obtain letters testamentaryNew Hampshire Dept. of Revenue AdministrationVerify current tax obligations and file any required state filingsNew Hampshire DMVTransfer vehicle titles to heirs using estate documentationNew Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS)Notify the pension and apply for any survivor benefit for public employeesNew Hampshire Veterans CouncilApply for the Veterans' Tax Credit for surviving spouses at the local level and burial eligibility at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen

    What families commonly miss in New Hampshire

    • Given New Hampshire's changing tax environment over the years, families who rely on older guides sometimes prepare for obligations that no longer exist — or miss ones that do; it's worth verifying current requirements with the Department of Revenue before assuming anything.
    • New Hampshire families who file in the wrong county or show up with outdated court forms — easy mistakes given that the Probate Division operates at the county level with its own local practices — can face delays that set the process back by weeks.
    • Many New Hampshire executors don't realize they're on a strict timeline from the moment they're appointed — the inventory of assets is due within three months, and missing that deadline can trigger court action even when everything else about the estate is simple.

    Deeper reading

    Probate: what families need to know

    Probate rules vary significantly by state. Our full guide explains the process, timelines, and how to avoid common delays in New Hampshire.

    Military families in New Hampshire

    New Hampshire has additional veteran & survivor benefits

    • Apply for New Hampshire Veterans' Tax Credit (surviving spouse)
    • Contact New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery

    New Hampshire-specific

    Start these New Hampshire-specific tasks in Order

    These tasks appear automatically in your checklist when you select New Hampshire as your state.

    File for New Hampshire probate in Circuit Court (Probate Division)Legal & Estate

    File in Circuit Court, Probate Division.

    Review New Hampshire homestead and spousal rightsLegal & Estate

    Surviving spouse entitled to homestead right and allowance

    Transfer vehicle at New Hampshire DMVLegal & Estate

    Submit title transfer with estate documentation

    Plus dozens more tasks added automatically for New Hampshire families.

    Order walks your family through every step, for New Hampshire and beyond.

    One-time purchase. Lifetime access. Unlimited family members. Everything your family needs, organized in one place.

    Covers all 50 states + DC · Jurisdiction-specific tasks added automatically

    See guides for other states

    Browse all 51 state guides Full guide: what to do when someone dies Back to home