Small Estate Affidavit

A small estate affidavit, also known as a sworn statement or affidavit for collection of personal property, is a legal document used to transfer the assets of a deceased person to their heirs without the need for probate court proceedings.

This document is typically used when the estate of the deceased person is relatively small and there is no real estate involved. The exact definition of a "small estate" can vary by state and jurisdiction, but it generally refers to estates that are below a certain dollar value threshold, such as $50,000 or $100,000.

The small estate affidavit allows the heirs of the deceased person to collect the personal property of the estate, such as bank accounts, vehicles, and personal belongings, without going through the time and expense of probate court proceedings. The affidavit typically requires the affiant to swear under penalty of perjury that the information provided is true and accurate, and to provide information about the deceased person's assets, debts, and heirs.