How Long Does It Take to Get an Inheritance?

Quick Answer

Receiving an inheritance typically takes 6–18 months from the date of death. The timeline depends on whether the estate goes through probate, the complexity of assets, the state where the deceased lived, and whether any disputes arise among beneficiaries.

Inheritance Timeline by Estate Type

Estate Type	Typical Timeline	Probate Required?
Small estate (under state threshold)	1–3 months	No (affidavit process)
Simple estate, no disputes	6–9 months	Yes
Moderate estate, multiple assets	9–14 months	Yes
Large or complex estate	12–24 months	Yes
Contested estate	18–36+ months	Yes
Trust-based estate	1–6 months	No

The Probate Process Step by Step

Step	Duration	Description
Filing the will with probate court	1–4 weeks	Executor files petition to open probate
Appointing the executor	2–6 weeks	Court reviews and issues letters testamentary
Notifying creditors	3–6 months	Required waiting period for creditor claims
Inventorying assets	1–3 months	Executor catalogs and appraises all estate assets
Paying debts and taxes	1–6 months	Estate debts, income taxes, and estate taxes settled
Distributing assets	2–8 weeks	Remaining assets transferred to beneficiaries
Closing the estate	2–4 weeks	Final accounting filed with the court

Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets

Not all inherited assets go through probate. Non-probate assets transfer directly to named beneficiaries and are typically received much faster:

Asset Type	Transfer Method	Typical Timeline
Life insurance proceeds	Beneficiary claim	2–8 weeks
401(k)/IRA accounts	Beneficiary designation	2–6 weeks
Joint bank accounts	Survivorship	Immediate–2 weeks
Payable-on-death accounts	Beneficiary claim	1–3 weeks
Living trust assets	Trustee distribution	1–6 months
Real estate (joint tenancy)	Survivorship deed	2–8 weeks
Real estate (probate)	Court approval	6–18 months

Factors That Delay Inheritance

Estate Size and Complexity

Estates with diverse assets — real estate in multiple states, business interests, international holdings, or collectibles requiring appraisal — take significantly longer to settle. Each additional asset type adds weeks or months to the inventory and valuation process.

Creditor Claims Period

Every state requires a mandatory waiting period for creditors to file claims against the estate. This period ranges from 3–12 months depending on the state and cannot be shortened.

State Example	Creditor Claims Period
California	4 months
Texas	6 months
New York	7 months
Florida	3 months
Illinois	6 months

Tax Obligations

Estates exceeding the federal estate tax exemption ($13.61 million in 2024) must file a federal estate tax return (Form 706) within 9 months of death. State estate or inheritance taxes may also apply, adding processing time. The IRS closing letter confirming tax clearance can take 4–6 months after filing.

Will Contests and Disputes

Beneficiary disputes, will contests, or challenges to the executor's authority can freeze distributions for months or years. Contested estates require court hearings and potentially mediation or litigation before assets can be distributed.

How to Receive Inheritance Faster

• Request partial distributions — executors can distribute a portion of clearly uncontested assets before final settlement
• Ensure beneficiary designations are current on retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts
• Use a living trust for estate planning to bypass probate entirely
• Consult a probate attorney early to identify potential delays and address them proactively
• Cooperate with the executor by providing requested documentation promptly

State-by-State Probate Duration

Probate timelines vary significantly by state due to differing procedural requirements:

State	Average Probate Duration	Small Estate Threshold
California	12–18 months	$184,500
Texas	6–12 months	$75,000
New York	9–15 months	$50,000
Florida	6–12 months	$75,000
Pennsylvania	9–18 months	No simplified process