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.
Make sure you qualify to use this process 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. If the decedent died before April 1, 2022, the estate is small if it is valued at $166,250 or less.
Not all estates need to go through formal probate. Depending on how the property is owned, and the type and amount of property, you may not need to go to court or you may be able to use a simpler court process.
It is here that it is determined if probate is required. If the total of all assets of the estate is below $166,250 or if there aren't any assets that require a complex transfer, the estate may not require a probate in California.
You may be able to use a Small Estate Affidavit to have the property transferred to you. You give this Affidavit to the person, company, or financial institution (such as a bank) that has the property so that they can legally transfer it to your name.
Ask the County Clerk or search online for your county's probate forms. Fill out the forms with the requested details, such as the decedent's full name, address, date of birth, and date of death; their personal representatives' contact details; heirs; estate value; and more. Then return the forms to the County Clerk.
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, there's no strict deadline for filing probate after death, but it's advisable to begin the process as soon as possible. Delays in filing can lead to complications, such as the estate's assets becoming unmanageable or creditors taking legal action to collect debts.
You can transfer property without opening probate if the estate is valued under a set amount. That amount changes every few years and is based on the year the person passed away. You can find the latest limits in Maximum Values for Small Estate Set-Aside & Disposition of Estate Without Administration (form DE-300).