Here, learn about ways a deceased person's property may pass on to their heirs without the need for a formal court proceeding. Probate is the legal process to distribute a person's property after they die.Dallas County's Required Small Estate Affidavit form. Dallas probate attorney Michael Duran explains probate without a will. Typically, an application to probate a will must be filed within four (4) years of the date of death of the decedent. Small estate affidavits are a fast and affordable way to transfer property after someone has died, when the decedent died without a will. The Texas probate lawyers at Shutt Law Firm will provide a free consultation to see which probate alternative is best for your exact situation. In this article, we discuss small estate affidavits and how they can be used as an alternative to probate. Visit our site for more info. Go to the cemetery and find out its requirements for transfering title.