California Order Determining Succession to Real Property and Personal Property - Small Estates $166,425 or Less

However, not all assets under the decedent's control at the time of death are subject to probate. California law provides that a probate of an estate is not necessary if the total value at the time of death of the assets, which are subject to probate, does not exceed the sum of $150,000 (as of 2012).

What Is Considered A Small Estate In California? As of January 1, 2020 the answer is: $166,250 or less. The old amount of assets to be considered a small estate in California was $150,000. $166,250 is also the new limit for small estate affidavits under California probate code section 13100.

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.

A small estate affidavit is a sworn written statement that authorizes someone to claim a decedent's assets outside of the formal probate process.

An affidavit or declaration signed under penalty of perjury at least 40 days after the death can be used to collect the assets for the beneficiaries or heirs of the estate. No documents are required to be filed with the Superior Court if the small estates law (California Probate Code Sections 13100 to 13116) is used.

Fortunately, not all property needs to go through this legal process before it passes to your heirs.The quick rule of thumb is probate is not required when the estate is small, or the property is designed to pass outside of probate. It doesn't matter if you leave a will.

An affidavit or declaration signed under penalty of perjury at least 40 days after the death can be used to collect the assets for the beneficiaries or heirs of the estate. No documents are required to be filed with the Superior Court if the small estates law (California Probate Code Sections 13100 to 13116) is used.

Every financial institution will have a different threshold as to the amount they will transfer without a Grant of Probate. To provide you some guidance, a balance of somewhere in the vicinity of $20,000.00 $50,000.00 will not require a Grant of Probate.

The California small estate affidavit, called a Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property, is used by successors in interest to a person who died to collect real and personal property totaling $166,250 or less in California. It cannot be filed until 40 days have elapsed since the person died.