Skip to content
Oakclause

Will Contest Deadline in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, an interested party can have a will that was proved without notice re-examined in solemn form, and raise issues such as capacity, fraud or undue influence, within 6 months of probate.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

New Hampshire at a glance

Deadline to contest
6 months
Minors, insane persons and people out of the United States may seek re-examination within 1 year after their disability ends (RSA 552:9).
Clock starts
Probate of the will without notice (common form)

Sources

Last checked

The rules in New Hampshire

How long do you have to contest a will in New Hampshire?

Deadline to contest in New Hampshire: 6 months. Minors, insane persons and people out of the United States may seek re-examination within 1 year after their disability ends (RSA 552:9).

When does the deadline to contest a will start in New Hampshire?

Clock starts in New Hampshire: Probate of the will without notice (common form).

Where do the New Hampshire will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 552:7 and N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 552:9. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.