A small estate affidavit is a probate alternative that can be used when decedent's probate property is less than $100,000 and does not include any real property (such as a home or land). The decedent's successor can collect the decedent's property using the affidavit, including bank accounts and insurance policies.
A small estate affidavit is not filed with the court. Instead, the decedent's successor fills out the form, signs it in front of a notary, and gives it to any third parties, such as the bank.
Who may file. Anyone may file a probate case. To be appointed the personal representative, an applicant must be at least 21 years old.
Your spouse will inherit all of your intestate property if you die without descendants, or if all surviving descendants are from you and your surviving spouse. If you have a spouse and no descendants, your spouse will inherit everything.
In Utah, you can make a living trust to avoid probate for virtually any asset you own—real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and so on. You need to create a trust document (similar to a will), naming someone to take over as trustee after your death (called a "successor trustee").
What is probate property? Real estate and vehicles. Titled assets owned solely by the deceased person will be part of the probate process. Personal property. Household items go through probate, along with clothing, jewelry, and collections. Bank accounts. Stocks and bonds. Business assets. Tenants-in-common assets.
Except as provided in Section 75-3-1201, to be effective to prove the transfer of any property or to nominate a personal representative, a will must be declared to be valid by an order of informal probate by the registrar, or an adjudication of probate by the court, except that a duly executed and unrevoked will which ...
Property that is held in a revocable trust will avoid probate. However, it is not sufficient to just have a revocable trust. The deceased person's property must be held in it when she dies. Once a person signs a revocable trust, she should immediately transfer her property to the trust.
The Utah probate process typically needs to occur if someone passed away, owned assets in their name only, and did not have a trust or comprehensive estate plan in place before they died.