Family Allowance

A family allowance is a provision of some state Probate laws that allows for money to be paid to a surviving spouse and/or minor children before the deceased's Estate has been Settled.

A family allowance provides immediate financial support to a Surviving Family during the probate process because it can often take several months, or years, to complete.

The amount of the family allowance available varies by state and may be determined as a percentage of the estate's value, up to a certain maximum amount.

In most cases, the family allowance will take priority over other claims against the estate; that is, it is paid before other debts or expenses would normally be paid.