Where Are Probate Notices Published? Guide for All 50 US States & Jurisdictions

Probate notices are published according to state laws, which vary widely across the U.S. Below, we break down general requirements, highlight key statutes for all 50 states and territories, and provide actionable steps to locate notices in your jurisdiction.

General Requirements for Publishing Probate Notices

1. Newspapers: Most states mandate publication in a local newspaper with wide circulation in the deceased’s county or region.
   • Example: In Maryland, notices must run for 3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.
2. Online Platforms: Many states now supplement print with court websites or state-run databases (e.g., MoPublicNotices.com in Missouri).
3. Hybrid Models: Some jurisdictions require both print and digital publication (e.g., Texas mandates courthouse postings alongside newspapers).

Historical Context: Newspapers as the Cornerstone

Historically, newspapers have been the primary venue for probate notices, offering verifiable public records accessible to local communities. Most states still mandate publication in newspapers of general circulation (serving the deceased’s county or region). However, digital platforms are increasingly supplementing—or replacing—print in some jurisdictions.

State-by-State Probate Notice Requirements

Below are publication rules, statutes, and platforms for all 50 U.S. states:

State	Statute	Publication Requirements	Key Platforms	Creditor Claim Deadline	Avg. Cost
Alabama	Ala. Code §43-2-460	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Birmingham News, Alabama Public Notices	6 months	150–150–300
Alaska	Alaska Stat. §13.16.680	3 consecutive weeks in a newspaper near the deceased’s residence.	Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Court System	4 months	200–200–400
Arizona	Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-3301	3 publications in a county newspaper.	Arizona Republic, AZ Probate Courts	4 months	100–100–250
Arkansas	Ark. Code §28-41-101	6 months of weekly notices in a county newspaper.	Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, ArkansasPublicNotices.com	6 months	200–200–500
California	Cal. Probate Code §8120	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper (city or county).	Los Angeles Times, CA Courts Online	6 months	300–300–600
Colorado	Colo. Rev. Stat. §15-12-801	5 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Denver Post, Colorado Judicial Branch	4 months	150–150–350
Connecticut	Conn. Gen. Stat. §45a-365	2 publications in a local newspaper.	Hartford Courant, CT Probate Courts	3 months	200–200–400
Delaware	Del. Code Tit. 12 §2102	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Delaware News Journal, DE Courts	8 months	150–150–300
Florida	Fla. Stat. §733.2121	2 weekly publications in a county newspaper.	Miami Herald, FL Courts E-Filing	30 days	200–200–450
Georgia	Ga. Code §53-7-70	4 weekly publications in a county newspaper.	Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA Probate Courts	3 months	100–100–250
Hawaii	Haw. Rev. Stat. §560:3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Honolulu Star-Advertiser, HI Judiciary	4 months	300–300–600
Idaho	Idaho Code §15-3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Idaho Statesman, ID Courts	4 months	100–100–250
Illinois	755 ILCS 5/9-5	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Chicago Tribune, IL Probate Courts	6 months	150–150–300
Indiana	Ind. Code §29-1-7-7	3 weekly publications in a local newspaper.	Indianapolis Star, IN Courts	3 months	100–100–200
Iowa	Iowa Code §633.304	4 weekly publications in a county newspaper.	Des Moines Register, IA Courts	6 months	120–120–250
Kansas	Kan. Stat. §59-2236	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Wichita Eagle, KS District Courts	4 months	100–100–220
Kentucky	Ky. Rev. Stat. §395.510	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Louisville Courier-Journal, KY Court of Justice	6 months	150–150–300
Louisiana	La. Code Civ. Proc. Art. 3091	3 publications in a local newspaper.	The Advocate, LA Courts	6 months	200–200–400
Maine	18-C MRSA §3-403	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Portland Press Herald, ME Probate Courts	3 months	150–150–300
Maryland	Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §7-103	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Baltimore Sun, MD Judiciary	6 months	200–200–400
Massachusetts	Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 190B §3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Boston Globe, MA Probate Courts	1 year	250–250–500
Michigan	Mich. Comp. Laws §700.3801	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Detroit Free Press, MI Courts	4 months	150–150–300
Minnesota	Minn. Stat. §524.3-801	4 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Star Tribune, MN Courts	4 months	150–150–350
Mississippi	Miss. Code §91-7-145	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Clarion-Ledger, MS Courts	6 months	100–100–250
Missouri	Mo. Rev. Stat. §473.033	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Kansas City Star, MoPublicNotices.com	6 months	150–150–300
Montana	Mont. Code §72-3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Billings Gazette, MT Courts	4 months	100–100–200
Nebraska	Neb. Rev. Stat. §30-2401	4 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Omaha World-Herald, NE Courts	3 months	120–120–250
Nevada	Nev. Rev. Stat. §155.010	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV Courts	3 months	200–200–400
New Hampshire	N.H. Rev. Stat. §553:3	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Union Leader, NH Courts	6 months	150–150–300
New Jersey	N.J. Stat. §3B:22-4	2 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	The Star-Ledger, NJ Courts	9 months	200–200–450
New Mexico	N.M. Stat. §45-3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Albuquerque Journal, NM Courts	4 months	100–100–250
New York	N.Y. SCPA §1301	3 consecutive weeks in a court-designated newspaper.	New York Post, NYC Probate Courts	7 months	300–300–600
North Carolina	N.C. Gen. Stat. §28A-14-1	4 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Charlotte Observer, NC Courts	6 months	150–150–300
North Dakota	N.D. Cent. Code §30.1-19-01	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Bismarck Tribune, ND Courts	6 months	100–100–200
Ohio	Ohio Rev. Code §2117.06	3 weekly publications in a local newspaper.	The Plain Dealer, OH Probate Courts	6 months	150–150–300
Oklahoma	Okla. Stat. Tit. 58 §331	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	The Oklahoman, OK Courts	2 months	100–100–250
Oregon	Or. Rev. Stat. §113.145	4 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	The Oregonian, OR Courts	4 months	150–150–300
Pennsylvania	20 Pa.C.S. §3155	3 publications in 2 newspapers (one legal, one general).	Philadelphia Inquirer, PA Courts	1 year	200–200–500
Rhode Island	R.I. Gen. Laws §33-11-5	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	The Providence Journal, RI Courts	6 months	150–150–300
South Carolina	S.C. Code §62-3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	The Post and Courier, SC Courts	8 months	100–100–250
South Dakota	S.D. Codified Laws §29A-3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Argus Leader, SD Courts	6 months	100–100–200
Tennessee	Tenn. Code §30-2-306	4 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	The Tennessean, TN Courts	4 months	150–150–300
Texas	Tex. Estates Code §308.051	1 publication in a county newspaper.	Houston Chronicle, TX Probate Courts	2 months	100–100–250
Utah	Utah Code §75-3-801	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	The Salt Lake Tribune, UT Courts	3 months	150–150–300
Vermont	Vt. Stat. Tit. 14 §1903	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Burlington Free Press, VT Judiciary	6 months	150–150–300
Virginia	Va. Code §64.2-550	4 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA Courts	6 months	150–150–300
Washington	Wash. Rev. Code §11.40.030	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	The Seattle Times, WA Courts	4 months	200–200–400
West Virginia	W. Va. Code §44-1-14	3 consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.	Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV Courts	6 months	100–100–250
Wisconsin	Wis. Stat. §879.05	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI Courts	3 months	150–150–300
Wyoming	Wyo. Stat. §2-7-201	3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper.	Casper Star-Tribune, WY Courts	3 months	100–100–200

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How to Find Probate Notices in Your State

1. Check Local Newspapers:
   • Search for “probate notices” + “[Your County/State]” (e.g., “probate notices Cook County IL”).
   • Use aggregated platforms like ArkansasPublicNotices.com or MoPublicNotices.com.
2. Court Websites:
   • Most state courts post notices online (e.g., California Probate Courts).
3. Legal Services:
   • Platforms like Estateably automate publication across print and digital platforms

Key Trends & Compliance Tips

1. Newspapers Remain Dominant: Despite digital shifts, 48 states still mandate newspaper publication.
2. Online Supplements: States like California and Florida allow online postings (court websites) in addition to print.
3. Costs: Publication fees range from 
4. 100–600, depending on state requirements and ad size.
5. Creditor Deadlines: Vary from 30 days (FL) to 1 year (MA, PA)—confirm your state’s statute.

How to Publish Notices Efficiently

1. Use Aggregated Platforms:
   • MoPublicNotices.com (Missouri)
   • ArkansasPublicNotices.com (Arkansas)
   • PublicNoticePortal.com (National)
2. Consult Legal Services: Platforms like Estateably automate compliance.
3. File Affidavits: Submit proof of publication to the court to avoid delays.

Why Proper Publication Matters

• Avoid Liability: Executors risk personal liability for unpaid debts if notices are improperly published.
• Prevent Challenges: Courts may invalidate probate if publication rules aren’t followed.

Final Checklist for Executors

1. Confirm State Requirements: Use the table above.
2. Choose a Compliant Newspaper: Verify it’s a “newspaper of general circulation” in the county.
3. Track Deadlines: Creditor windows start when the first notice runs.

Need Help? Use our free Probate Notice Compliance Tool to generate state-specific notices.

This article is regularly updated to reflect 2025 probate laws. Consult an estate attorney for case-specific advice.