A valid Affidavit of Death requires the affiant to have personal knowledge of the deceased. Detailed identification of the deceased, the affiant's relationship with them, and the reason for the affidavit's execution should be clearly stated. Validation from a Notary Public is essential to certify its legality.
If you're looking for a simple way to get a deceased person's property and you qualify to use a small estate affidavit, you should use it. The process is quick and relatively painless. For example, using a small estate affidavit for a bank account can be as simple as filling out a form and giving it to the bank.
Probating a will can be both expensive and time-consuming. Because of this, Illinois law allows estates that are valued at $100,000 or less to be transferred to heirs through what is called a small estate affidavit process. This procedure is less expensive and faster than a full probate proceeding.
Using the affidavit is simple. Once you've completed it, you don't need to file it with the court. You just give a copy of it to the companies or people holding the property you are seeking to transfer. This will notify them that they can release the property to you.
Are there any drawbacks to using a small estate affidavit? While beneficial, small estate affidavits have limitations. They only apply to estates valued at $100,000 or less without real estate, and they cannot be used if the estate is involved in litigation.
Though the affiant is not legally required to have a lawyer, it is wise for the affiant to hire one. It may seem wasteful to hire a lawyer when an estate is small, but many of the same rules that govern the full blown Illinois probate process apply to the affidavit.
Though the affiant is not legally required to have a lawyer, it is wise for the affiant to hire one. It may seem wasteful to hire a lawyer when an estate is small, but many of the same rules that govern the full blown Illinois probate process apply to the affidavit.