Small estate affidavit rules by state
Each guide below is rendered from a dataset verified against the official statute text — the current dollar limits (including how they change with the date of death), waiting periods, notarization rules, and where the papers actually go. These pages are general legal information, not legal advice. Verification dates are shown on every guide.
Verified states
Arizona
$200,000 current limit · 30-day wait
Read the Arizona guide →California
$208,850 current limit · 40-day wait
Read the California guide →Florida
No fixed dollar cap — conditions apply · no waiting period
Read the Florida guide →Georgia
No fixed dollar cap — conditions apply · no waiting period
Read the Georgia guide →Michigan
$53,000 current limit · no waiting period
Read the Michigan guide →New Jersey
$50,000 current limit · no waiting period
Read the New Jersey guide →New York
$50,000 current limit · no waiting period
Read the New York guide →North Carolina
$20,000 current limit · 30-day wait
Read the North Carolina guide →Pennsylvania
$20,000 current limit · no waiting period
Read the Pennsylvania guide →Tennessee
$50,000 current limit · 45-day wait
Read the Tennessee guide →Virginia
$75,000 current limit · 60-day wait
Read the Virginia guide →Washington
$100,000 current limit · 40-day wait
Read the Washington guide →Not verified yet
We’ve started researching these states but haven’t finished verifying every figure at the official source, so we don’t publish numbers or prepare packets for them yet.
Not sure which procedure fits, or whether the estate is under the limit for your date of death? Run the free eligibility check — it applies these rules to your facts and gives an honest answer, including an honest no.
15 states researched. EstateClaim is an automated document-preparation tool — not a law firm, and not legal advice.