Settling a small estate without a lawyer
Aftercare · 6 min read
When probate is required, when it is not, and the paperwork most states accept.
Small estate affidavits
Most states allow a simplified process below a dollar threshold, often between $50,000 and $150,000. It usually takes one form and a waiting period.
What skips probate
Accounts with named beneficiaries, jointly held property, and anything held in a trust pass directly and are not part of the probate estate.
When to call a lawyer
Property in more than one state, a contested will, a business interest, or debts larger than the estate.
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