New Hampshire Small Estate Affidavit Form

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New Hampshire Small Estate Affidavit Form

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Last updated June 2nd, 2026

A New Hampshire small estate affidavit allows an individual to go around the full administration process of a decedent’s estate. New Hampshire does not recognize an affidavit specifically for settling small estates; however, certain estates may be closed without the accounting, inventorying, and fiduciary bonds usually required when distributing a decedent’s property and assets.

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A New Hampshire small estate affidavit allows an individual to go around the full administration process of a decedent’s estate. New Hampshire does not recognize an affidavit specifically for settling small estates; however, certain estates may be closed without the accounting, inventorying, and fiduciary bonds usually required when distributing a decedent’s property and assets.

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Laws

  • Maximum estate value: None
  • Mandatory waiting period: Six months after the appointment of the administrator.[1]
  • Where to file: County Register of Deeds

How to File (5 Steps)

Step 1 – Requirements

A Waiver of Full Administration Statement to Close Estate (Form NHJB-2144-Pe*) may only be used if there is no other petition already made for full administration of the estate and one of the following applies[2]:

Testate:

  • The will names a sole beneficiary who is appointed as administrator.
  • The decedent leaves a will, and all beneficiaries agree either to be co-administrators or to elect an administrator.
  • The decedent’s will names a trust as the sole beneficiary, and the trustees serve as administrators.

Intestate:

  • There is a sole heir who serves as administrator.
  • All heirs agree to be co-administrators, or they select an administrator.

The court may also determine that the waiver is appropriate under other circumstances.

Step 2 – File Petition for Estate Administration

The Petition for Estate Administration (Form NHJB-2145-Pe) will open a case for the estate. The form will let the court know the petitioner is requesting to be the estate executor/administrator and be granted a waiver of administration. The filing must be done online.

Step 3 – Mail Documents

After the petition is submitted online, the original will and codicils, and the death certificate must then be mailed to:

Estates Electronic Filing Center,
2 Charles Doe Drive, Suite 2,
Concord NH 03301.

If the court accepts the petition, it will issue a Certificate of Appointment certifying the petitioner as the estate executor/administrator.

Step 4 – Wait Six Months

Once appointed, the administrator will need to wait at least six months before filing the Waiver. In the meantime, they must settle any of the estate’s debts or obligations and transfer the decedent’s property.

Step 5 – File the Waiver of Administration

The Waiver of Administration should be filed once the executor/administrator is ready to close the estate. It must be completed and filed within six months to one year after the date on the executor/administrator’s Certificate of Appointment.

This can only be filed online; however, the court may grant exceptions for in-person filing in extenuating circumstances.

Sources

  1. § 553-32(I)(b)
  2. § 553-32(I)(a)