Money and accounts
What is a small estate affidavit?
Short answer
A legal document that lets heirs collect assets without full probate if the estate is small enough. In California, the threshold is $208,850 for personal property for deaths on or after April 1, 2025 ($184,500 applied for deaths from April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2025). You must wait 40 days after death. A lawyer can help, but it…
What this usually means
A legal document that lets heirs collect assets without full probate if the estate is small enough. In California, the threshold is $208,850 for personal property for deaths on or after April 1, 2025 ($184,500 applied for deaths from April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2025). You must wait 40 days after death. A lawyer can help, but it is also doable without one.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.