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Sussex County, DE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Sussex County details |
|---|---|
| Probate office | Sussex County Register of Wills Office. The Register of Wills acts as a Clerk of the Court of Chancery under 12 Del. C. § 2501. |
| Address | Sussex County Courthouse Annex, 5 East Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947. |
| Mailing | Sussex County Register of Wills, P.O. Box 743, Georgetown, DE 19947. |
| Phone | (302) 855-7875. |
| Fax | (302) 853-5871. Sussex says documents may not be faxed or emailed in for filing. |
| [email protected]. Sussex also publishes a contact form at https://sussexcountyde.gov/contact-register-wills. | |
| Office hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The building locks at 4:00 p.m. daily, and the Register of Wills Office closes to the public at 3:00 p.m. on the last Monday of the month. |
| Appointments | Required for opening a probated estate, closing a probated estate, ancillary estates under 12 Del. C. § 1504, and depositing a will for safekeeping. Walk-ins are welcome for other services but are worked around scheduled appointments. |
| Opening cost | Granting letters starts at $25.00 for a personal estate of $0 to $29,999 and rises with value; Sussex also charges related opening items. Sussex County Register of Wills fee list, retrieved September 1, 2026; county fees are set under 12 Del. C. § 2510. |
| Closing cost | 1.25% of the net personal estate, paid at the end, plus related release costs if filed. Sussex County Register of Wills fee list, retrieved September 1, 2026; county fees are set under 12 Del. C. § 2510. |
| Forms | Sussex publishes a Register of Wills forms page and a probate packet. The small estate affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 2306 is not posted as a download; Sussex tells families to contact the Register of Wills Office for information. |
| Online filing | The Sussex County Register of Wills Office does not publish an online portal for opening or administering an estate. Filings are paper, and Sussex says documents may not be faxed or emailed in for filing. |
| Estate lookup | The Sussex County Register of Wills does not publish an online estate search on its website. It posts newly opened estates as Register's Orders and offers a paper estate search for $5.00, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Attending by phone or mail | Sussex publishes no video appointment policy. Start by calling the Register of Wills Office; original documents are reviewed before an appointment is assigned. Additional Short Certificates may be requested later by mail while the estate is current. |
| Website | https://sussexcountyde.gov/register-wills |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the Georgetown office, list what the decedent owned in his or her name alone. In Sussex County that number affects both the route, including whether a small estate affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 2306 may work, and the granting-letters cost set under 12 Del. C. § 2510. The Register of Wills Office will ask about next of kin, solely held personal property and solely held assets during the first call.
Debts matter just as much for estate settlement. Claims must be filed within eight months of death under 12 Del. C. § 2102, Sussex will not schedule the closing appointment until claims are addressed, and the closing cost is based on the net personal estate. Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families build that picture before they call.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Sussex County Register of Wills Office in Georgetown is the single filing counter for Sussex County. Sussex publishes no satellite or evening locations. The office serves Sussex communities such as Georgetown, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Seaford, Laurel, Milford, Millsboro, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island and Selbyville.
Delaware venue is based on domicile: a will is proved before the Register of Wills of the county where the testator was domiciled at the time of death (12 Del. C. § 1302(a)), and letters of administration are granted by the Register of Wills of the county where the decedent was domiciled (12 Del. C. § 1504(a)). Sussex states the same rule in its own guidance.
Real estate can add filings in more than one Delaware county. A copy of the inventory and appraisal must also be filed with the Register of Wills of any Delaware county where the decedent owned real estate (12 Del. C. § 1905(a)). A Sussex beach property owned by a decedent domiciled elsewhere in Delaware can still create a Sussex filing.
Contested and judicial estate matters go to the Court of Chancery under Court of Chancery Rule 207. In Sussex County, the Court of Chancery sits at 34 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; routine estate openings are handled at the Register of Wills Office at 5 East Pine Street.
The jurisdiction process
- Find out what the decedent owned in his or her own name alone. That figure decides whether a small estate affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 2306 may be enough and affects the Sussex granting-letters bracket, which begins at $25.00 for a personal estate of $0 to $29,999, retrieved September 1, 2026, under 12 Del. C. § 2510.
- Deliver the original will to the Sussex County Register of Wills Office with a certified copy of the death certificate. Delaware gives a custodian 10 days from learning of the death to deliver the will (12 Del. C. § 1301(a)). Sussex also says a death certificate is filed even when there is no will and no property.
- If the estate fits 12 Del. C. § 2306, ask the Register of Wills Office about a small estate affidavit. Sussex does not post the affidavit online and says information is obtained by contacting the office. The Sussex fee is $5.00 plus $2.00 per page, published by the Sussex County Register of Wills and retrieved September 1, 2026.
- For a full opening, call the Register of Wills Office at (302) 855-7875. The office asks questions about next of kin, solely held personal property and solely held assets, then tells you what to submit.
- Submit the original documents for review. Sussex requires original documents to be submitted before an appointment can be assigned, and an appointment is required to open a probated estate.
- If witnesses are needed to prove the will, follow Sussex's witness procedure. Sussex explains that witnesses may need to come to the Register of Wills Office to take an oath, or that other proof may be needed if witnesses have died or cannot appear.
- Attend the opening appointment. The personal representative takes an oath under 12 Del. C. § 1509, and the Register grants letters testamentary when there is a will (12 Del. C. § 1502) or letters of administration when there is not (12 Del. C. § 1504). Sussex's guide says opening costs average about $150.00, retrieved September 1, 2026, and depend on the value of the decedent's solely held personal property.
- Order Short Certificates with the letters. Sussex charges $3.00 each, retrieved September 1, 2026, and says Short Certificates are valid for 60 days from issuance. More may be obtained later with the county request form while the estate is in good standing and current on filings.
- The Register's Order goes out. Sussex charges $7.00 for the order of publication and $2.00 for handbills and posting, retrieved September 1, 2026. Claims must be filed within eight months of death under 12 Del. C. § 2102 on a Statement of Claim under 12 Del. C. § 2104; Sussex charges $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page, retrieved September 1, 2026.
- File the inventory within three months after letters are granted (12 Del. C. § 1905). Sussex uses Form 600 RW, requires it to be complete and notarized, requires submission by 3:30 p.m. on the due date, accepts it by mail or at the front desk, and does not accept filing by fax or email. Keep a copy because Sussex says the inventory also passes real property in the county and acts as the deed.
- Prepare the accounting on Sussex Form SC30 under 12 Del. C. § 2301. Sussex says the earliest date to call for the closing appointment is eight months from the date of death, that all claims must be addressed first, and that the appointment is arranged by calling the office and asking for the Chief Deputy Register of Wills. An extension of up to six months may be requested on the county's Extension Request Form.
- Close the estate at the closing appointment. Bring proof of every expense and proof that it was paid, the completed beneficiary list, and original signed beneficiary waivers or notices. Sussex will not accept faxed or emailed waivers. Take the closing oath and pay the closing cost of 1.25% of the net personal estate, plus $5.00 for each release filed, retrieved September 1, 2026, under 12 Del. C. § 2510.
Executor duties
Sussex adds practical filing mechanics to the statewide personal representative duties.
- The inventory is Sussex Form 600 RW and is due within three months after letters are granted (12 Del. C. § 1905). Sussex requires it to be complete, signed before a notary and submitted by 3:30 p.m. on the due date.
- Sussex accepts the inventory by mail or at the Register of Wills front desk, but documents may not be faxed or emailed in for filing.
- Keep a copy of the inventory before filing. Sussex says the inventory also passes real property in Sussex County and acts as the deed.
- Use the last page of the inventory to complete the accounting on Sussex Form SC30 (12 Del. C. § 2301).
- Sussex may grant an extension of the inventory or accounting due date for up to six additional months from the original due date, at the discretion of the Chief Deputy Register of Wills, using the county's Extension Request Form.
- All claims must be addressed before Sussex will schedule the closing appointment. Claims are governed by 12 Del. C. § 2102, and Sussex says a rejected claim must be on file for more than three months before closing.
- Bring original beneficiary waivers to the closing appointment. Sussex will not accept faxed or emailed copies. If a beneficiary does not sign a waiver, the personal representative uses Sussex Notice Form SC1 and supplies a self-addressed stamped envelope for each notice.
- At closing, the personal representative proves payment of debts and expenses with cancelled checks, receipts, bank or credit card statements or vouchers marked paid, then takes the closing oath.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Sussex County
Sussex publishes a county forms layer for Register of Wills filings, plus a full probate packet. Use the county's current forms page, especially because the older Wills and Estates pamphlet predates the June 10, 2026 small estate affidavit change under 12 Del. C. § 2306.
| Form or packet | How Sussex uses it |
|---|---|
| Probate packet | Includes the Probate Timeline and Directions, Letter to Personal Representatives, inventory instructions, Estate Closing Checklist, inventory form, accounting instructions and Form SC30, beneficiary forms, notice forms and a Court of Chancery Rule 194 reprint. |
| Petition for Authority to Act as Personal Representative | Used to open estates. Sussex marks this for attorney use. |
| Renunciation Form | Used to renounce the right to serve as personal representative. Sussex charges $3.00 per page, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Short Certificate Request Form | Used to request additional Short Certificates after letters have been granted. Sussex publishes public and attorney versions. |
| Claim Form, Statement of Claim | Used by creditors to file claims under 12 Del. C. § 2104. The form asks for the amount, basis, due date, security status and whether it is filed within the time set by 12 Del. C. § 2102. Sussex lists $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Estate Search Request Form | Used when the Register of Wills Office conducts a paper estate search. The form is revised October 2024 and requires a $5.00 search fee, retrieved September 1, 2026, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. |
| Document Request Form | Used to request a copy of a will, inventory, claim or other document in the estate file. Sussex charges $1.00 per page for copies and $5.00 plus $2.00 per page for certification, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Extension Request Form | Used to request more time to file the inventory under 12 Del. C. § 1905 or the accounting under 12 Del. C. § 2301. |
| Jointly Held Real Property affidavit | Used for real property held jointly with right of survivorship under 12 Del. C. § 1905(e). |
| Affidavit That No Delaware Estate Tax Return is Required | Used where 12 Del. C. § 2304(b) requires the affidavit. Sussex also publishes combined jointly held property and tax forms. |
| Real Property Transferred On Death Deed Affidavit | Used for real estate covered by a Transfer on Death Deed already on file with the Sussex County Recorder of Deeds Office. |
| Small estate affidavit | Not posted as a downloadable form. Sussex says information on small estate affidavits under 12 Del. C. § 2306 may be obtained by contacting the Register of Wills Office. |
Fees
Sussex County fees are set locally under 12 Del. C. § 2510. The Sussex County Register of Wills publishes its fee list online without a separate effective date, so the county dollar figures below are identified as retrieved September 1, 2026.
| Cost item | Sussex amount |
|---|---|
| Petition for granting letters | $5.00 for up to two personal representatives, or $10.00 for more than two, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Granting letters | $25.00 for a personal estate from $0 to $29,999; $50.00 from $30,000 to $99,999; $75.00 from $100,000 to $499,999; $100.00 from $500,000 to $999,999; plus $100.00 for each additional $500,000 increment, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Short Certificates | $3.00 each after letters are granted, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Inventory | $15.00 for seven pages and $1.00 for each additional page, retrieved September 1, 2026. The inventory is tied to 12 Del. C. § 1905. |
| Register's Order | $7.00 for the order of publication and $2.00 for handbills and posting, retrieved September 1, 2026. Notice is tied to 12 Del. C. § 2101. |
| Statement of Claim | $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, retrieved September 1, 2026. Claims are presented under 12 Del. C. § 2104 and subject to 12 Del. C. § 2102. |
| Accounting | $20.00 for recording and indexing accounts, retrieved September 1, 2026. Accounting is tied to 12 Del. C. § 2301. |
| Closing cost | 1.25% of the net personal estate, retrieved September 1, 2026, and paid at closing under 12 Del. C. § 2510. |
| Releases | $5.00 per page, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Small estate affidavit | $5.00 plus $2.00 per page for the affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 2306, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Estate search | $5.00 per estate, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
| Will safekeeping | $10.00 to receive, secure and index an original will of a living person, retrieved September 1, 2026. |
Do not budget from the opening bracket alone. Sussex's own guide says opening costs average about $150.00, retrieved September 1, 2026, because several items are collected at the opening, and the 1.25% closing cost is paid at the end.
Local nuance
Sussex County-specific considerations
- The building locks at 4:00 p.m. daily even though the office hours run to 4:30 p.m. The Register of Wills Office also closes to the public at 3:00 p.m. on the last Monday of the month.
- Appointments are required to open a probated estate, close a probated estate, handle ancillary estates under 12 Del. C. § 1504, and deposit a will for safekeeping. For opening, Sussex's sequence is call, answer questions, submit original documents for review, then receive the appointment.
- Paper filing matters. Sussex publishes a fax number, but says documents may not be faxed or emailed in for filing. Beneficiary waivers also must be originals at closing.
- Sussex's inventory procedure under 12 Del. C. § 1905 is unusually practical: submit by 3:30 p.m. on the due date, and keep a copy because the office says the inventory also passes real property in Sussex County and acts as the deed.
- For jointly held real property under 12 Del. C. § 1905(e), Sussex says the jointly held property affidavit and the Affidavit That No Delaware Estate Tax Return is Required under 12 Del. C. § 2304 remove the decedent's name for tax purposes only. The Register of Wills Office forwards the affidavits to the Assessment Office, but an attorney is needed to change the deed itself.
- Short Certificates connected to letters cost $3.00 each, retrieved September 1, 2026, are valid for 60 days from issuance, and additional certificates are issued only while the estate is current on filings.
- Sussex does not publish an online estate search on its website. It posts newly opened estates as Register's Orders and handles formal searches by paper request.
- Sussex has offered original will safekeeping since October 15, 2019. The service costs $10.00, retrieved September 1, 2026, requires an appointment, and applies to a living person's original will.
Small-estate Alternatives
Sussex publishes the small estate affidavit cohort rule in its own words. For deaths before June 10, 2026, the county lists $30,000. For deaths on or after June 10, 2026, the county lists $50,000. The current statute is 12 Del. C. § 2306, as amended by 85 Del. Laws, c. 281, and the test Sussex publishes is the date of death.
Sussex also publishes a local warning not every county spells out: if the decedent had no next of kin, the estate must be opened even if the solely owned personal property is under the small estate affidavit amount. Sussex lists the next-of-kin order for this purpose as spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, grandparents and funeral directors, in that order.
Sussex does not post the small estate affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 2306 as a downloadable form. The county tells families to contact the Register of Wills Office for information. The Sussex fee is $5.00 plus $2.00 per page, published by the Sussex County Register of Wills and retrieved September 1, 2026. Older printed Sussex materials still show only the earlier $30,000 figure; use 12 Del. C. § 2306 and the county's current web guidance for the June 10, 2026 cohort rule.
Recent updates
| Change | Date | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory form formatting changed | June 10, 2022 | Sussex's forms page says the inventory form formatting changed on 6/10/2022. Use the current county form for the 12 Del. C. § 1905 inventory. |
| Closing of the Estate Checklist revised | August 2023 | The Sussex closing checklist that explains what must be ready before the accounting appointment under 12 Del. C. § 2301 carries Revised 08/2023. |
| Estate Search Request Form revised | October 2024 | The paper estate search form carries Revised 10/2024 and lists the $5.00 search fee, retrieved September 1, 2026, and self-addressed stamped envelope requirement. |
| Probate Timeline and Directions revised | November 2025 | The Sussex packet document that explains the 3:30 p.m. inventory cutoff, the extension request, Short Certificate timing and claim-rejection timing carries Revised 11/2025. |
| Will safekeeping service began | October 15, 2019 | Sussex began holding original wills for safekeeping for living persons, with a $10.00 fee retrieved September 1, 2026, and an appointment requirement. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Sussex County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | A home held jointly with right of survivorship does not by itself require a full estate opening. Sussex uses a jointly held property affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 1905(e) together with the Affidavit That No Delaware Estate Tax Return is Required under 12 Del. C. § 2304, and the county says those affidavits clear the tax record only. An attorney is needed to change the deed itself. If the solely owned personal property fits 12 Del. C. § 2306, the spouse may be able to use the small estate affidavit route. | Sunset identifies which accounts were solely owned, which were joint, and which pass to a named beneficiary before the spouse calls the Register of Wills Office. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Do not start with a trip to Georgetown. Sussex requires an appointment to open a probated estate and requires original documents to be reviewed first. If 12 Del. C. § 2306 applies, the Register of Wills Office explains the small estate affidavit; Sussex charges $5.00 plus $2.00 per page, retrieved September 1, 2026. Equal-priority siblings can renounce with Sussex's Renunciation Form at $3.00 per page, retrieved September 1, 2026. | Sunset builds the asset list, helps estimate whether the Sussex small estate affidavit route is open, and helps plan how many Short Certificates connected to letters may be needed later. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Real estate owned in the child's name takes the case out of 12 Del. C. § 2306, so a full opening is required. Expect letters under 12 Del. C. § 1502 or 12 Del. C. § 1504, the inventory under 12 Del. C. § 1905, the Register's Order under 12 Del. C. § 2101, the eight-month claim period under 12 Del. C. § 2102, and the accounting under 12 Del. C. § 2301. A petition to sell real property to pay debts is a Court of Chancery Rule 207 matter, not a counter filing. | Sunset helps assemble the account, debt and property picture before the parent pays Sussex opening costs and before an attorney prices any Court of Chancery work. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex County Register of Wills | Office contact, hours, building-lock notice, last-Monday notice, appointment rules and Register of Wills links. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/register-wills |
| Probated Estates | Sussex guidance on when an estate must be opened, the small estate affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 2306, both June 10, 2026 cohort figures, and jointly held property affidavits under 12 Del. C. § 1905. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/probated-estates |
| Steps in Probating An Estate | Sussex guidance on proving the will, opening the estate, letters, Short Certificates, the inventory under 12 Del. C. § 1905, the accounting under 12 Del. C. § 2301 and the closing cost under 12 Del. C. § 2510. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/steps-probating-estate |
| Various Fees | Sussex County Register of Wills fee list under 12 Del. C. § 2510. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/various-fees |
| Register of Wills Forms | Renunciation, Short Certificate request, claim form, document request, extension request and the probate packet. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/register-will-forms |
| Register's Orders | Rolling postings of newly opened Sussex estates and instructions for a paper estate search. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/legal-notices/registers-orders |
| Estate Search Request Form | Paper estate search request with a $5.00 fee, retrieved September 1, 2026, and self-addressed stamped envelope requirement. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Estate_Search_Request_Form.pdf |
| Wills and Estates FAQ | Sussex answers on wills, the 10-day delivery duty under 12 Del. C. § 1301, intestacy and jointly held property under 12 Del. C. § 1905. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/wills-and-estates |
| Wills and Estates pamphlet | Sussex's printed guide. Its small estate affidavit number predates the June 10, 2026 change, so use 12 Del. C. § 2306 for the current threshold. | https://sussexcountyde.gov/sites/default/files/PDFs/WILLS_AND_ESTATES.pdf |
| Delaware State Bar Association Online Lawyer Referral Service | Lawyer referral service linked by Sussex's Sources of Information page. | https://www.dsba.org/online-lawyer-referral-service/ |
When to hire an attorney
An individual personal representative may appear before the Register of Wills without a lawyer under Court of Chancery Rule 188, but counsel makes sense for a caveat under 12 Del. C. § 1308, a review of proof of will under 12 Del. C. § 1309, exceptions to an accounting under 12 Del. C. § 2302, a petition to sell real property to pay debts, or any other Court of Chancery Rule 207 matter. In Sussex, counsel is also practical when a jointly held property affidavit has cleared the tax file but the family wants the deed changed. The Register of Wills Office can answer procedure questions, but Sussex says questions calling for legal advice should go to a licensed Delaware attorney. Sunset connects you to a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate bank, brokerage, retirement and insurance relationships so the personal representative can tell what was solely owned, what was joint, and what passed by beneficiary designation. That is the first step in Sussex County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the Sussex opening call, including next of kin, assets, debts, documents and the Short Certificates tied to letters that institutions may ask for.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs Court of Chancery work, deed help, a caveat, exceptions, or a petition involving real property, Sunset can help you connect with a Delaware probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, find assets and prepare for the Register of Wills process without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Sussex County, Delaware?
Open a routine estate at the Sussex County Register of Wills Office, Sussex County Courthouse Annex, 5 East Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947. The mailing address is P.O. Box 743, Georgetown, DE 19947. The Register of Wills acts as a Clerk of the Court of Chancery under 12 Del. C. § 2501, but routine estate work is handled at the Register of Wills counter.
Do I need an appointment at the Sussex County Register of Wills?
Yes for opening a probated estate, closing a probated estate, ancillary estates under 12 Del. C. § 1504, and depositing a will for safekeeping. Sussex says original documents must be submitted for review before the appointment is assigned. Call the Register of Wills Office at (302) 855-7875 before traveling to Georgetown.
What does it cost to open an estate in Sussex County?
Granting letters starts at $25.00 for a personal estate of $0 to $29,999 and rises with value. Sussex's guide says opening costs average about $150.00, retrieved September 1, 2026, because several opening items are collected. County fees are set under 12 Del. C. § 2510, and a closing cost of 1.25% of the net personal estate is paid at the end, retrieved September 1, 2026.
How do I look up an estate in Sussex County?
The Sussex County Register of Wills does not publish an online estate search on its website. It posts newly opened estates as Register's Orders, and if you cannot find the estate in those postings, Sussex instructs you to send an Estate Search Request Form with a $5.00 search fee, retrieved September 1, 2026, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Sussex says to allow three to five days for results. New Castle County and Kent County run their own online searches, so make sure you are searching the correct Delaware county.
Can I file probate online or email documents to the Sussex County Register of Wills?
No online opening portal is published by the Sussex County Register of Wills Office. Sussex says documents may not be faxed or emailed in for filing. General questions about an estate already on file may be emailed to [email protected], but filings are paper.
What forms does the Sussex County Register of Wills publish?
Sussex publishes a Register of Wills forms page with a probate packet, Renunciation Form, Short Certificate Request Form, Statement of Claim under 12 Del. C. § 2104, Estate Search Request Form, Document Request Form, Extension Request Form, jointly held real property affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 1905, and tax affidavit forms under 12 Del. C. § 2304. For a small estate affidavit under 12 Del. C. § 2306, Sussex says to contact the Register of Wills Office for information.
Will there be a hearing in Sussex County?
Usually not. In an uncontested estate, the Register of Wills can hear and decide the matter under 12 Del. C. § 2502(b). Sussex appointments are counter appointments, not hearings. A Rule to Show Cause may be issued by the Register for problems such as overdue filings, and contested matters go to the Court of Chancery under Court of Chancery Rule 207.
How long is a Sussex County Short Certificate good for?
Sussex says Short Certificates issued with letters are valid for 60 days from the time of issuance. Sussex charges $3.00 each, retrieved September 1, 2026. Additional Short Certificates may be requested later while the estate is in good standing and current on filings.
Can the Register of Wills change the deed to a jointly held Sussex County home?
No. For jointly held real property under 12 Del. C. § 1905(e), Sussex says the jointly held property affidavit and the Affidavit That No Delaware Estate Tax Return is Required under 12 Del. C. § 2304 remove the decedent's name for tax purposes only. The Register of Wills Office forwards the affidavits to the Assessment Office, but an attorney is needed to change the deed itself.
What are the Sussex County Register of Wills hours, and when does the building lock?
The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The building locks at 4:00 p.m. daily, and the Register of Wills Office closes to the public at 3:00 p.m. on the last Monday of the month.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.