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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.

Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.

Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.

If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.

We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
To be considered small, the estate must be valued under a set amount. That amount can change from year to year. For example, if the decedent died on April 1, 2022, or later, the estate is small if it is valued at $184,500 or less.
In California, probate settles a deceased person's estate and is required in California if the estate is worth more than $184,500. It typically occurs when the deceased person died without a will, but it can occur even if the deceased person did have a will if they owned real property that is subject to probate.
Key Takeaways: Probate is required in California when estate value exceeds $184,500 (after April 1, 2022) or $166,250 (before April 1, 2022).
A: To avoid probate in California the estate must be worth less than $166,250.
Small Estate Affidavit If the estate consists solely of personal property (for example a bank account) and the gross value is under $166,250, you could complete an Affidavit (or Declaration) for Collection or Transfer of Personal Property under Probate Code §13100. This is not a court procedure.
Open a case. You (the person who starts the case) are called the “petitioner." You must file forms with the court to “open probate.” You file a Petition for Probate (form DE-111) along with other court forms. File the case in the county where the person who died (the decedent) lived.
Form 13101 is the specific Small Estate Affidavit used in California. Heirs fill it out to claim the deceased's assets, such as bank accounts and personal property. The affiant must provide accurate information about the deceased and sign under penalty of perjury.
You may be named as an Executor under a Will, but you really are just a suggested Executor until the court appoints you as Executor. That means you have to file a Petition for Probate with the court, receive a court order appointing you, and then have Letters Testamentary issued.
The matter of filing the petition for probate is relatively straightforward. In California, the standard form DE-111 can be downloaded and completed. Then, the representative can submit the form and the Will to the probate court located in the county in which the decedent resided.
Here are some things to consider when drafting a letter to your executor or trustee. Your thoughts about wealth. Share your story about how you came to the assets that you are leaving in your will. How was your wealth created, what do you value and what are your long-term goals for your wealth?