Alaska Small Estate Affidavit

In most states, however, there is the option to use a small estate affidavit when the assets of the estate are under a certain dollar amount, which varies by state. An attorney is not required to file a small estate affidavit, although it may be helpful to consult with one prior to filing the small estate affidavit.

When you use a small estate affidavit , you have to pay the decedent's bills before paying money to anyone else. For example, the decedent might have owed money to a credit card company when they died. If you use the small estate affidavit, you must give money from the estate to pay the credit card company.

The Illinois small estate affidavit provides a streamlined way for an heir-at-law of a decedent to gather and distribute the assets of the estate of a person who died, provided that no other petition to open an estate in probate court has been filed and that the assets of the person who died do not exceed $100,000.

If the total value of all the assets you leave behind is less than a certain amount, the people who inherit your personal property -- that's anything except real estate -- may be able to skip probate entirely. The exact amount depends on state law, and varies hugely.

Small estate administration is a simplified court procedure that is an alternative to the longer probate process. It is available when the person who dies did not own that much in assets. There is often a limit to the value of the property, such as $25,000 or $100,000.

To be able to file a small estate affidavit in Texas for a loved one, when no will was executed, you must be a person who would inherit under Texas intestacy law (this is generally the spouse and children, or other close relatives if there are no spouse or children).

Guadalupe County Small Estate Affidavit Checklist Individuals then fill out a form without reading the statute and without understanding Texas intestacy law. They pay a $261 filing fee and expect approval.