Detailed Answer

Short answer: In Nevada, you must confirm the estate qualifies for the small-estate process, file the correct papers with the probate court to be appointed a limited personal representative (sometimes called a limited personal representative for distribution or for a specific purpose), publish the statutory notice to creditors, and obtain court authority (or the court’s limited appointment) to sell real property. The court’s paperwork and any sale order will set out what you can do and how to handle sale proceeds and creditor claims.

Step-by-step: How to get appointed and proceed under Nevada law

1. Confirm the estate qualifies for a small-estate or simplified procedure. Not all estates qualify. Nevada’s probate and decedent-estate statutes and local court rules set dollar thresholds and limits on what assets may be handled by simplified procedures. Start by reviewing the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) governing decedents’ estates and probate and your county court’s probate/self-help pages: Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Courts – Probate Self-Help. If the estate contains real property, many courts require formal appointment or a specific court order before a sale—even in a small estate.
2. Gather documents before filing. Typical documents: certified death certificate, original will (if any), a list of known creditors, a preliminary inventory of assets (including a current estimate of the real property value and copies of deeds), and the names and addresses of heirs or beneficiaries. If the decedent had joint tenancy property, beneficiary-deeded assets, or nonprobate transfers, those may pass outside probate.
3. Prepare and file the correct petition/affidavit to request a limited appointment. Nevada courts use specific forms or petitions to request appointment of a personal representative. Ask the clerk of the probate court in the county where the decedent lived which form to use for a limited appointment (appointment limited to publishing notice to creditors and/or selling property). Your filing typically asks the court to: (a) appoint you as a limited personal representative; (b) authorize you to publish the statutory notice to creditors; and (c) authorize the sale of the specific real property (or to seek a later court order to authorize a sale). The court will require filing fees and will route the petition to a judge for review.
4. Provide notice to interested parties and publish the notice to creditors as required by statute. Nevada law requires publication of a notice to creditors in many probate matters. The court will tell you the required language, the publication schedule (how many times, in what newspaper, and over what period), and whether you must also mail notice to known creditors and beneficiaries. Publishing the notice starts the statutory period during which creditors must file claims. Follow the court’s instructions exactly so the notice is effective.
5. Obtain letters or an order from the court confirming your limited appointment. If the judge grants your petition, the court will issue letters of appointment (or a signed order) that describe the scope of your authority. Keep certified copies for banks, title companies, and any buyer of the real property. The document you receive will indicate whether you can sell the property without further court order or whether you must return to court to obtain an order authorizing the sale.
6. If selling real property, follow steps to obtain marketable title and court authorization (if required). Many title companies will require either: (a) a court order approving the sale and directing distribution of proceeds, or (b) evidence that the sale is authorized under statutes available for small estates. You will likely have to file a petition or motion requesting authority to sell the property, describing the proposed sale terms, and asking the court to approve the sale and distribution method. If a sale is approved, the court’s order will instruct how to handle proceeds, pay creditors, and distribute remaining funds to heirs or beneficiaries.
7. Handle creditor claims and distributions according to law. After the notice period ends and the court determines valid claims, pay authorized creditor claims from estate funds or escrow from the sale proceeds. The court’s order or Nevada law will control payment priority and distribution of any remaining funds to heirs or beneficiaries. Keep careful records and account to the court if required.
8. Close out the appointment and provide accounting if required. Depending on the court’s requirements and the scope of your appointment, you may need to file a final accounting or petition to close the estate after all actions are complete and proceeds distributed.

Common documents you will file or receive

• Petition or affidavit requesting limited appointment
• Death certificate
• Notice to creditors (for publication)
• Court order appointing you as limited personal representative or issuing letters
• Order authorizing sale of real property (if needed)
• Receipts, settlement statements, and final accounting documents

Practical considerations & common pitfalls in Nevada

• Title companies often require a court order to convey real property even in small estates. Expect to file a motion for sale or obtain an express court approval.
• Mortgages and liens survive the decedent—you cannot deliver clear title until liens are addressed. The buyer or lender may require payoffs from sale proceeds or releases from lienholders.
• Spousal rights, homestead claims, or surviving joint owners can change how property passes—these issues may require a fuller administration.
• Timing: statutory notice periods, publication schedules, and waiting periods can add several months. Plan for time needed to publish notice, wait for creditor claims, and return to court if a sale order is required.
• Bonding: the court may require a bond for the personal representative in some situations. The judge will set bond requirements in the order if applicable.

Where to find Nevada statutes and local forms

Start with the Nevada Revised Statutes and the Nevada Courts self-help probate pages for statutes, procedural rules, and common forms: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/ and https://nvcourts.gov/Self_Help/Probate/. For county-specific forms and filing instructions, check the clerk of the district court/probate division in the county where the decedent lived.

When to consult a lawyer

If the estate has disputed heirs, significant creditor claims, mortgages or other secured debt, potential tax issues, or if the sale involves complications (title defects, family opposition, or homestead/spousal claims), consult a Nevada probate attorney. An attorney can confirm whether the small estate process is appropriate, prepare pleadings, and represent you at hearings. If you’re unsure whether to use the small-estate route or full administration, ask a lawyer or the court clerk before filing.

Helpful Hints

• Confirm qualification: check the current small-estate limits and rules before relying on simplified procedures.
• Talk to the probate clerk: clerk’s offices can point to required forms, filing fees, and local practices.
• Get multiple certified copies of the death certificate early—many institutions will request them.
• Keep a detailed file: court filings, published notices, creditor correspondence, receipts from sale, and bank statements.
• Use a title company or real-estate attorney experienced in probate sales to help clear title and handle closing.
• If you collect sale proceeds, do not distribute funds until the statutory creditor period ends or until the court authorizes distributions.
• Consider a short consultation with a probate attorney to confirm the paperwork and that your plan follows Nevada law.

Disclaimer: This article explains general Nevada probate procedures and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and local procedures change—consult the Nevada Revised Statutes, the probate court in the appropriate county, or a licensed Nevada attorney for advice about your specific situation.