Eviction Speed by State
All State Laws →⚡ Fast
23
30 days or under
⏳ Medium
18
31 to 60 days
All States — Eviction Timeline
MS
3d notice
AZ
5d notice
AR
3d notice
TX
3d notice
ID
3d notice
LA
5d notice
MO
3d notice
OK
5d notice
SD
3d notice
WY
3d notice
KS
3d notice
SC
5d notice
AL
7d notice
FL
3d notice
GA
3d notice
IN
10d notice
NE
7d notice
NC
10d notice
ND
3d notice
OH
3d notice
TN
14d notice
UT
3d notice
WV
5d notice
IA
3d notice
KY
7d notice
NV
7d notice
MT
3d notice
WI
5d notice
AK
7d notice
MI
7d notice
NH
7d notice
ME
7d notice
NM
3d notice
VA
5d notice
CO
10d notice
DE
5d notice
HI
5d notice
IL
5d notice
MD
4d notice
MN
14d notice
PA
10d notice
RI
5d notice
VT
14d notice
CT
3d notice
OR
10d notice
CA
3d notice
MA
14d notice
NJ
30d notice
WA
14d notice
NY
14d notice
DC
30d notice
The Eviction Process — Step by Step
A universal overview — always verify your state's specific requirements.
1
📋
Serve Notice
Deliver written notice to tenant. Non-payment, lease violation, or no-cause depending on state law.
2
⏳
Wait Notice Period
Allow the legally required period to expire. Tenant may pay, cure the violation, or vacate.
3
⚖
File Complaint
If tenant has not complied, file an eviction complaint at your local court with lease, notices, and evidence.
4
📬
Serve Court Papers
The court will serve the tenant with summons. In some states you handle service; in others the court or sheriff does.
5
🏛️
Attend Hearing
Present your case to the judge. Bring all documentation: lease, notices, photos, rent ledger, communications.
6
✅
Get Judgment
If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant may have days to appeal.
7
🔑
Writ of Possession
If tenant has not left, obtain a writ of possession. The sheriff will post notice and enforce removal.
8
🔐
Lockout
Sheriff executes the writ. You may now legally change locks and take possession of the property.
⛔ Never Do This
Self-help eviction is illegal in all 50 states.
✗Changing locks without a court order
✗Removing tenant's belongings without a court order
✗Shutting off utilities to force tenant out
✗Threatening or harassing the tenant
✗Entering without proper notice during eviction
✗Refusing to accept rent to create grounds for eviction (most states)
💡 Pro Tips
Cash-for-keys and strong documentation save months.
Offer cash-for-keys
Paying $500–$2,000 to leave voluntarily is almost always cheaper than a 90-day eviction.
File early, not late
Every week you wait costs money. File immediately after the notice period expires.
Use an attorney in hard states
In CA, NY, NJ, OR, WA — an eviction attorney pays for itself in time saved.
Keep perfect records
Judges rule on documentation. Photos, emails, texts, ledgers — all of it matters.
Document everything in writing
Send all notices via certified mail and email. Keep every receipt.
Court Resources by State
Direct links to eviction filing courts in all 50 states and DC.