Do I need probate?

Many states let smaller estates skip full probate using a small-estate affidavit or summary administration. The threshold — and what counts toward it — varies by state and by the date of death. Enter a few details to see the likely path and the instrument your state uses.

Choose a state

Whether an estate can use the small-estate route is decided by the probate court for the county where the person who died last lived. Find the probate court by county.

Prefer the raw numbers? See small-estate limits by state — every figure with its statute citation and a visible verification date.