Probate in Nevada
Nevada probate is administered in the District Court of the county where the deceased resided. Nevada offers three administration tracks: full administration (for larger estates), summary administration (for smaller estates), and set-aside (for very small estates). Nevada's courts move efficiently for routine estates.
Nevada probate typically takes 6–12 months. Personal representatives are entitled to reasonable compensation.
Simplified estate procedures
Nevada allows a small estate affidavit for estates with personal property of $25,000 or less, available 40 days after death. For estates under $100,000 total gross value, a summary administration procedure is available in District Court — faster and less expensive than full probate.
Nevada also has a "set-aside" procedure for surviving spouses for very small estates.
Death certificates
Nevada death certificates are issued by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (NDOH) Office of Vital Records and by county registrar offices. The cost is $20 per certified copy. Order online through NDOH or VitalChek.
Order at least 10–12 certified copies when the funeral home files the initial certificate.
Estate and inheritance tax
- State estate tax: Nevada has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax — one of the most favorable estate tax climates in the country.
The federal estate tax applies only to estates above $13.61 million (2024 threshold).
Community property state
Nevada is a community property state. Property acquired during marriage is generally owned equally by both spouses. Nevada also allows couples to hold property as "community property with right of survivorship," which passes the entire property to the surviving spouse automatically at death without probate.
Notable rules
- No estate or inheritance tax: Nevada imposes no state estate tax or inheritance tax, making it one of the most favorable states for estate planning.
- Community property with survivorship: Nevada allows couples to hold property as community property with right of survivorship, avoiding probate for those assets entirely.
- Creditor claim period: 90 days from the date of first publication of notice to creditors — one of the shorter periods in the country.
- Asset protection trusts: Nevada allows self-settled domestic asset protection trusts, making it a popular state for trust formation.
Key contacts
- Nevada vital records: dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/BVR/dta/Home
- Nevada Courts probate: nvcourts.gov
- State Bar of Nevada lawyer referral: nvbar.org