California allows a person with a claim to assets in the estate of someone who has died to collect them without going through formal probate by using an affidavit for collection of personal property, ...

A small estate affidavit is a sworn legal document that may allow an estate to avoid going through probate. Small estate affidavits are permitted in many states, as long as the value of the estate is ...

When the estate of a deceased loved one is required to go through probate, the process can be lengthy, costly and demanding in terms of energy and attention. In Missouri, as in other states, this ...

fizkes / Getty Images/iStockphoto (Part two in a three-part series regarding estate administration shortcuts.) Successfully pulling off the small estate affidavit on your first try is akin to hitting ...

Q: My sister passed away and named me as the beneficiary and executor in her will. She owned nothing. The only asset is a life insurance policy payable to her estate for $1,500. My lawyer told me not ...

Q: My father died with no will. His larger investment accounts were payable to my brother and myself. We have already split his personal possessions. He also had three bank accounts that were not set ...

A small estate affidavit could help simplify the process of managing a loved one's assets after death. This legal document allows certain assets to transfer without going through probate, helping ...