Small estate checker
Small estate limits by state
Most states let heirs skip full probate when the estate is under a set dollar amount. They use a sworn affidavit or a short court process instead. Enter the estate's value and answer a few questions to see whether it may fit under your state's limit.
Last updated
General information, not legal advice. Statutes change, and courts apply them to the facts of each estate. Check with the probate court or a probate attorney before you rely on a figure or a date.
Small estate limits by state
Each limit comes from the state's statute, linked in the last column. We're still reviewing the other states, and their probate guides explain the local process in the meantime.
| State | Procedure | Limit | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Affidavit to collect personal property | $208,850 | Cal. Prob. Code § 13100 |
| Florida | Summary administration | $150,000 | Fla. Stat. § 735.201 |
| Illinois | Small estate affidavit | $150,000 | 755 ILCS 5/25-1 |
| Indiana | Small estate affidavit | $100,000 | Ind. Code § 29-1-8-1 |
| Maryland | Small estate administration | $50,000 ($100,000 spouse) | Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 5-601 |
| Minnesota | Collection of personal property by affidavit | $75,000 | Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 |
| Missouri | Small estate affidavit | $40,000 | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.097 |
| New Jersey | Spouse or partner affidavit | $50,000 | N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 |
| Heir affidavit, no surviving spouse | $20,000 | N.J.S.A. 3B:10-4 | |
| New York | Voluntary administration | $50,000 | N.Y. SCPA §§ 1301–1302 |
| North Carolina | Collection by affidavit, intestate | $20,000 ($30,000 spouse) | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-25-1 |
| Ohio | Release from administration | $35,000 ($100,000 spouse) | Ohio Rev. Code § 2113.03 |
| Texas | Small estate affidavit | $75,000 | Tex. Est. Code §§ 205.001, 205.003 |
| Virginia | Small asset affidavit | $75,000 | Va. Code § 64.2-601 |
| Washington | Small estate affidavit | $100,000 | RCW 11.62.010 |
| Wisconsin | Transfer by affidavit | $50,000 | Wis. Stat. § 867.03 |
Common questions
What is a small estate affidavit?
It's a sworn statement that lets heirs collect the property of the person who died from banks and others without opening a full probate case. You can use one only when the estate is under the state's dollar limit. Some states use a short court process instead, such as summary administration in Florida or release from administration in Ohio.
Which assets count toward the small estate limit?
Each state decides what counts. California leaves out joint tenancy property, property in a revocable trust and pay-on-death accounts, for example, and Texas leaves out the homestead and exempt property. The checker shows each state's rule under the value box.
How long do you have to wait to use a small estate affidavit?
It depends on the state. The wait is 30 days after the death in Texas, Missouri and Minnesota, 40 days in California and Washington, 45 days in Indiana and 60 days in Virginia.
Sources
- Cal. Prob. Code §§ 13100–13117 — California Legislative Counsel
- California Courts Self-Help Guide: simple transfers — Judicial Council of California, Self-Help Guide
- Fla. Stat. ch. 735 — Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
- 755 ILCS 5/25-1 — Illinois General Assembly
- Ind. Code § 29-1-8-1 — Indiana General Assembly
- Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 5-601 — Maryland General Assembly
- Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 — Minnesota Revisor of Statutes
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.097 — Missouri Revisor of Statutes
- N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3, 3B:10-4 — New Jersey Legislature
- N.Y. SCPA art. 13 — New York State Legislature
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-25-1 — North Carolina General Assembly
- Ohio Rev. Code § 2113.03 — Ohio Legislative Service Commission
- Tex. Est. Code ch. 205 — Texas Legislative Council
- Va. Code § 64.2-601 — Virginia General Assembly
- RCW 11.62.010 — Washington State Legislature
- Wis. Stat. § 867.03 — Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau
We last checked the statute text against the official publishers in August 2026.