Small Estate Affidavit

Download:

All states except Georgia, Kentucky, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Wisconsin: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
Georgia: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
Kentucky: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
Wisconsin: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF

Small Estate Affidavit Limits

In some states, real property and/or motor vehicles cannot be transferred using a small-estate affidavit. In addition, all states have a limit on the total value of assets (maximum allowance). If the total value of all assets to be distributed is larger than the maximum value listed, then you cannot use a small-estate affidavit.

State	Non-transferrable Assets	Maximum Allowance
Alabama	Real property	$29,710 (for 2019)
Alaska	Real property	$100,000 (motor vehicles); $50,000 (personal property)
Arizona	–	$100,000 (real property); $75,000 (personal property)
Arkansas	–	$100,000
California	Real property	$166,250
Colorado	Real property	$69,000 (if the decedent died in 2019)
Connecticut	Real property	$40,000
Delaware	Real property	$30,000
District of Columbia	–	$40,000
Florida	–	Typically $75,000, but varies by county
Georgia	–	$10,000 (of cash given by a financial institution)
Hawaii	Motor vehicles	$100,000
Idaho	Real property and motor vehicles	$100,000
Illinois	–	$100,000
Indiana	Real property	$50,000
Iowa	Real property	$100,000
Kansas	Real property	$40,000
Kentucky	–	$15,000
Louisiana	–	$125,000
Maine	Real property	$40,000
Maryland	–	$50,000 $100,000 if spouse is the ONLY person to inherit the estate
Massachusetts	Real property	$25,000
Michigan	Real property	$15,000
Minnesota	Real property	$75,000
Mississippi	–	$50,000
Missouri	–	$40,000
Montana	Real property	$50,000
Nebraska	Motor vehicles	$50,000
Nevada	Real property	$25,000 $100,000 if spouse is the ONLY person to inherit the estate
New Hampshire	–	$10,000
New Jersey	Real property	$20,000 $50,000 if spouse/partner in a civil union/domestic partner is the ONLY person to inherit the estate
New Mexico	Real property	$50,000
New York	Real property	$30,000
North Carolina	–	$20,000 $30,000 if spouse is the ONLY person to inherit the estate
North Dakota	Real property	$50,000
Ohio	–	$35,000 $100,000 if spouse is the ONLY person to inherit the estate
Oklahoma	Motor vehicles	$50,000
Oregon	–	$200,000 (real property) $75,000 (personal property)
Pennsylvania	Real property	$50,000
Rhode Island	Real property	$15,000
South Carolina	Real property	$25,000
South Dakota	–	$50,000
Tennessee	Real property	$50,000
Texas	Real property	$75,000
Utah	–	$100,000
Vermont	–	$10,000
Virginia	–	$50,000
Washington	–	$100,000
West Virginia	Real property	$100,000
Wisconsin	–	$50,000
Wyoming	–	$200,000

What is Probate?

Probate is a legal procedure intended to make sure the bills of a deceased individual (“decedent”) have been paid, and the people entitled to inherit their assets — whether by will (“testate”) or without a last will and testament (“intestate”) — receive those assets.

The probate procedure can be time-consuming, and involves expenses for the court as well as the executor of the estate. These costs are deducted from the decedent’s assets, reducing what’s available to give surviving heirs.

It’s important to know exactly what probate is, and how the entire process effects small estates. Those with larger estates typically use a revocable living trust in order to manage their sizable assets.

Are small estates the same across the country?

No, state law varies on the definition of what qualifies as a “small estate.” The total amount of the deceased’s assets and property being distributed must not exceed a relatively low threshold — around $5,000 – $175,000. Sometimes, there are items (such as real estate, or “real property”) which aren’t included in that calculation which is determined on a state-by-state basis.

In an effort to streamline the probate procedure and reduce the costs for estates that don’t exceed that threshold, each state has their own procedures for processing a “small estate” with less court involvement, time, and money. A small estate affidavit form may be used in those situations.

How does small estate property distribution work?

Once notarized, signed, and approved by the local probate court, any individual or organization in possession of a decedent’s property must legally transfer ownership to you when presented with a court-approved small estate affidavit.

Note: While this form is designed to cover the vast majority of states and situations, there are various conditions, limits and rules which vary from state to state. Some of these state-specific guidelines are included in our form builder, while others are more specific and must be obtained from the probate clerk in the county where this form will be filed.

When Should You Use a Small Estate Affidavit?

Also known as an affidavit for collection of personal property, a small estate affidavit form are used primarily (but not exclusively) when the deceased individual has:

no last will and testament to their name
less than $5000 – $175,000 in assets to distribute (depending on the state).

A small estate affidavit helps quicken or eliminate the probate process — an event which often prolongs the pain of having lost someone close to you.

Difference Between Affidavit of Heirship and Small Estate Affidavit

An affidavit of heirship is used to authenticate the surviving heirs of a decedent. Additionally, families often use this affidavit when distributing decedent assets primarily consisting of real property (any building or land that would require a deed or title to be transferred). That’s because real property will almost always exceed the maximum legal amount that can be considered a small estate.

A small estate affidavit is used when an individual passes away and one or more close relative wishes to claim the decedent’s property. The total value of the property must be below the maximum allowance by the state where this form is being filed. Small estate claims may include items that have sentimental value to surviving heirs and aren’t overwhelmingly valuable.

It’s important to note that a small estate affidavit is often filed along with an affidavit of heirship.

How Do I Fill Out a Small Estate Affidavit?

Aside from including basic information, such as the name and address of you and the decedent, you must carry out the following when filling out a small estate affidavit:

Confirm the date when the decedent passed away — The date of death must be verified, in addition to the city and state where the decedent passed away. This information can be found on their official death certificate.
Attest whether the decedent died intestate or testate — Some states permit the use of this procedure only if there is no will, while others allow both. If there was a will, make sure you have a copy of it. Whoever (if anyone) is named as executor of that will is the person who should file this form.
Indicate whether there are outstanding funeral expenses — If the decedent’s funeral expenses haven’t been paid in full, you must provide the amount owed and a description of the expenses.
Provide information on any additional claims against the estate — In the event the decedent left behind any outstanding debts, the estate must settle those debts and the creditors must be paid in full, to the extent there are assets in the estate to satisfy such debts. The value of any remaining assets can be passed to the heirs identified in the affidavit afterwards.
List any surviving heirs to the decedent — Heirs include close relatives and spouses that could rightfully claim ownership of the deceased’s assets and property.
Outline the decedent’s personal property being distributed, if any — A thorough description of the personal property being distributed (excluding real property in certain states), and the total value of that property must be included in the small estate affidavit. Personal property would include anything other than real property, such as vehicles or general possessions like jewelry or clothing.
Describe the decedent’s real property being distributed, if any — If you’re claiming a transfer of ownership of the decedent’s real property, you must provide a full description and dollar amount of said property. Real property means any house or land that would require a deed or title to be transferred. Not all states permit the transfer of real property through this form.

Sample Small Estate Affidavit

Download this MS Word sample small estate affidavit, or view a completed PDF version to see what this form looks like filled out. You can also click on the image to zoom in if you’d like to read any of the clauses we include in our free template.

AFFIDAVIT OF SMALL ESTATE

STATE OF _________________

______________ OF ___________________

IN RE THE ESTATE OF _________________________________________

I, ______________________________, make the following affidavit under oath.

The decedent’s name is _______________________________________ (“Decedent”). Immediately prior to the Decedent’s death, the Decedent’s primary residence was at _____________________________ in __________, ______________.

The Decedent passed away on ______________________ in ______________, ____________. A copy of the death certificate is attached.

The filing of this affidavit in this court is proper because the Decedent resided in the State of _________ immediately prior to his/her death.

The following are true, to the best of my knowledge, with respect to the Decedent’s estate:

This affidavit is filed more than _____ days after the Decedent’s death.

The gross fair market value of the Decedent’s estate, as defined in Section _________ of the ___________ Probate Code does not exceed $_________.

No proceeding has been commenced for administration of the Decedent’s estate.

The following amounts remain to be paid in connection with the Decedent’s funeral expenses:

Name	Address	Amount Owed	Description
________________	_________________	______________	___________

The following are the only claims against the estate of which I am aware:

Name	Address	Claim Amount	Description
________________	_________________	______________	___________

If and to the extent any money is owed to the Department of Health and Human Services in connection with Medicaid benefits have been either paid or provided for.

The Decedent died with no will.

The Decedent is survived by the following relatives:

Name	Address	Age	Relationship to the Decedent
________________	________________	_____	___________________________

The following are the Decedent’s real property assets (example: home, land, buildings) and the person(s) to whom they are to be distributed. No other party has a claim on any of the following assets.

Real Property Description	Value	Recipient Name
__________________________	_____	________________

The total value of these real property assets is $________________.

The following are the Decedent’s personal property assets (example: cash, jewelry, investments), excluding motor vehicles, the person(s) to whom they are to be distributed. No other party has a claim on any of the following assets.

Personal Property Description	Value	Recipient Name
_____________________________	_____	________________

The total value of these personal property assets is $________________.

The following are the Decedent’s motor vehicles (example: cars, trucks, motorcycles, RV’s) and the person(s) to whom they are to be distributed. No other party has a claim on any of the following assets.

Make	Model	Year	Value	Recipient Name
_________________	_________________	_____	_____	_________________

The total value of these motor vehicles is $________________.

The total value of all assets described in Sections 9-11 is $_____________.

My address is ____________________, in _______________, _______________.

My mailing address is ____________________, in _______________, _______________.

My telephone number is ____________________.

My relationship to the Decedent is that of a/an ____________________.

I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ____________________ that the foregoing is true and correct.

SIGNATURE

______________________________

STATE OF ______________

_____________ OF _________________

On ____________________ before me, _________________________, personally appeared _________________, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name is subscribed to the within Affidavit and acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same in his/her authorized capacity, and who, being first duly sworn on oath according to law, deposes and says that he/she has read the foregoing Affidavit subscribed by him/her, and that the matters stated herein are true to the best of his/her information, knowledge and belief.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of _________________ that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

________________________________________ (Notary Seal)

Signature of Notary Public