Short answer
Bring a certified death certificate, the original will and a completed petition, then schedule an appointment. The Kent County office at 555 S. Bay Rd. in Dover says estates are opened and closed by appointment only. Fees are paid at the visit, and a newspaper notice is arranged then.
Where and when
The Kent County Register of Wills is at 555 S. Bay Rd., Dover, DE 19901. Its brochure lists the phone number as 302-744-2330 and office hours as Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The brochure also says appointments must be made for the opening and closing of estates. Call ahead, since walk-ins may not be seen. The brochure is dated May 2024, so confirm hours and contact details before you go.
What to bring
The duties list in the brochure begins with filing a certified copy of the death certificate, which is returned to you, along with the original will and the petition for authority to act. The original will is not returned. Without a will you petition for letters of administration instead. If children are sharing the job, bring any notarized renunciation forms from the others.
What happens at the appointment
The personal representative pays the required fees at the appointment. The brochure says you will sign the legal notice for publication in a local newspaper, and the office submits it. After that you collect and protect the estate's assets, file an inventory within three months, and eventually file an accounting within one year of opening. The closing step uses a fee of 1.75 percent of the net personal estate.
Other counties
New Castle and Sussex Counties have their own Register of Wills offices. This guide describes what Kent County publishes. Procedures, forms and fees may differ elsewhere, so call the office for the county where the decedent lived. This page is general information and not legal advice, and an estate attorney can handle the filing for you.
Selling for cash instead
If you are traveling to Dover on a weekday just to start the paperwork, you may prefer a faster path for the house. Kaizen Home Buyers buys houses for cash, as-is, with no repairs and no agent commission. We can make an offer within 24 hours and close in 14 to 30 days, or on the date you choose. Call 267-329-0084.