Copy And Paste In Legal Alabama Small Estates Forms For Free

Most states have a ?small estates? rule that allows you to avoid probate entirely, as long as the estate value doesn't pass a certain threshold. In Alabama, if an estate doesn't have any real property and the value doesn't exceed $25,000, after waiting 30 days, you can use what's known as a summary probate procedure.

Examples of probate assets include real estate owned only by the decedent, bank accounts in the name of the decedent, and life insurance policies that fail to name a beneficiary or are payable to the estate.

Instead of a small estate affidavit, Alabama allows for distribution of small estates through an abbreviated estate process known as summary distribution. To qualify for summary distribution, the estate must meet the criteria of a ?small estate? as defined by the statute.

A ?small estate? contains personal property only (no real estate) and does not exceed an amount (originally $25,000) annually adjusted for inflation. The amount is $30,608.00 for 2021 and is increased each year.

Step 1: ? Verify that the estate is eligible. This will include identifying and valuing all of the decedent's property to make sure it falls below the state maximum. ... Step 2 ? Contact all the Heirs. ... Step 3 ? Settle any remaining obligations. ... Step 4 ? Fill out, sign, and file the affidavit form.

The Alabama Small Estates Act allows the personal property of a deceased person to be distributed to the surviving spouse or appropriate next of kin through a court proceeding in a summary manner without full probate or administration. Summary distribution makes the passing of a small estate significantly faster.