Closing the Estate
After all the hard work of administering the estate β gathering assets, paying debts, handling taxes, filing accountings β itβs time for the final step: closing the estate. Closing the estate officially ends your duties as personal representative and discharges you from further responsibility.
Hereβs what you need to know about the closing process.
What Needs to Happen Before You Can Close the Estate?
Before you can ask the Court to close the estate, you must:
File and obtain approval of the Final Accounting
Pay all approved creditor claims
Pay all court costs, taxes, and fees
Distribute all remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries
Collect signed receipts from heirs confirming they received their distributions
π You cannot close the estate if any debts, disputes, or loose ends remain.
What Documents Are Required to Close the Estate?
While requirements vary slightly by county, generally you will need to file:
Petition for Final Settlement and Distribution (requesting Court approval to close)
Final Accounting (showing every penny handled during probate)
Receipts signed by heirs (proving distributions were made)
Proof of Payment of Claims (showing creditors were paid or resolved)
Proposed Order for Final Settlement (for the Court to sign)
Some Courts also require:
A Certificate of Taxes Paid
A Notice of Mailing showing that required notices were sent
Your probate attorney will prepare these filings and submit them to the Court for review.
What Happens After You File for Closing?
Once your final paperwork is filed:
The Court will review the Final Accounting and the Petition for Final Settlement.
If everything is complete and accurate, the Court will issue a Decree of Final Distribution and Order of Discharge.
Once the Court signs the discharge order, your duties as personal representative officially end.
No further reports, payments, or filings will be required unless a hidden asset later comes to light.
How Long Does Closing Take?
If everything is in order:
Many estates can close within 60 - 90 days after the final filings.
If there are missing documents, disputes among heirs, or unresolved debts, it can take longer.
If the estate is being supervised by the Court, the closing process can take up to 6-months to complete.
Being organized and filing complete documents the first time helps speed up the process.
π Important Reminders Before Closing
Double-check that all required taxes (including estate or inheritance taxes, if applicable) have been paid.
Confirm that all creditor claim periods have expired.
Verify that all receipts and waivers are properly signed.
Balance the estate bank account down to $0 β no money should remain once distributions are complete.
Missing any of these items can cause the Court to reject the closing petition and require corrections.
Closing the estate is your final responsibility β and a major milestone. Taking the time to carefully finish each step ensures a smooth discharge and protects you from future claims or liability.
Always work with your attorney to make sure nothing is overlooked before you ask the Court to close the case.
Legal Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation.