{"product_id":"california-small-estate-affidavit-kit","title":"California Small Estate Affidavit Kit: Claim Accounts and Belongings","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.ckp-desc h2{font-family:'Plus Jakarta Sans',sans-serif;color:#466B61;font-size:22px;margin:26px 0 8px;}\n.ckp-desc h3{font-family:'Plus Jakarta Sans',sans-serif;color:#2E2E2E;font-size:17px;margin:18px 0 6px;}\n.ckp-desc p,.ckp-desc li{font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;color:#2E2E2E;font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;}\n.ckp-desc .ckp-promise{border-left:4px solid #5E8B7E;background:#EEF4F2;padding:13px 17px;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;margin:18px 0;}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ckp-desc\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSomeone you love has passed away, and their bank accounts, final paycheck, and belongings are still in their name.\u003c\/strong\u003e When the totals are modest, California lets you claim that property with a signed document called a Small Estate Affidavit, with no court case, no hearing, and no judge. This kit walks you through it, one calm step at a time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's inside\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA guided walkthrough you can follow on your phone or your computer, with the checklists, the templates, and the exact wording you need:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Small Estate Affidavit itself (Probate Code 13100-13101), with every required statement written out so you can fill in the blanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA clear breakdown of what counts toward the $208,850 limit and what doesn't, so you don't accidentally rule yourself out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA ready-to-use cover letter for the bank, plus what to do when a teller hasn't seen one of these before.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe notary step, the certified death certificate step, and how to claim from several banks at once.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe DMV path for a vehicle, and how shared property works when more than one person inherits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn honest guide to when you need a different path (a home, a spouse's share) or a lawyer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho it's for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe person handling a parent's, a spouse's, or a sibling's affairs, who needs to collect the accounts and belongings and wants to do it right. You can do this, and you'll have a guide that walks with you the whole way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow it works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConfirm the affidavit fits, add up the property the right way, gather your documents and wait the 40 days, write the affidavit, sign it in front of a notary, then present it to each bank with a certified death certificate. The kit holds your place and gives you the wording at each step.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstant access to the full guided kit the moment you buy. It works on any device, and you can save or print it to keep beside you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"ckp-promise\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal help when it matters most.\u003c\/strong\u003e ClaimKit Help is built in California, for people handling their own paperwork. Every figure here is current and California-specific, so you can know it's right before you sign.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kit covers California's Small Estate Affidavit for personal property. If a home or other real estate is involved, the Home Transfer Kit or the Complete Simplified-Probate Kit is the better fit. There's a 7-day refund if it isn't right for you. ClaimKit Help is an educational guide, not a law firm, and this kit gives you information, not legal advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is a Small Estate Affidavit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a signed statement, under California Probate Code 13100-13101, that lets you collect a person's personal property without going to court. You give it to the bank or company holding the property, and they transfer it to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the dollar limit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a death on or after April 1, 2025, the gross value of the California personal property you're claiming has to be $208,850 or less. The date of death sets the figure, and it next adjusts April 1, 2028.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat counts toward the limit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolo bank and brokerage accounts, a final paycheck, stocks, a vehicle, and valuable belongings. Things with a named beneficiary or payable-on-death tag, joint tenancy property, and anything in a living trust don't count, and real estate uses a separate path.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I have to wait?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. You have to wait at least 40 days from the date of death before you use the affidavit. The kit shows you how to use that window to gather everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat if there's a house?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReal estate doesn't move with this affidavit. A primary residence uses the Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property (DE-310), and low-value real estate uses the DE-305. The Complete Simplified-Probate Kit covers all of these in one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this legal advice?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. ClaimKit Help is an educational guide, not a law firm. The kit gives you information about California's small estate procedures, and using it doesn't create an attorney-client relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I get a refund?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, there's a 7-day refund if it isn't the right fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is a California Small Estate Affidavit?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It's a signed statement, under California Probate Code 13100-13101, that lets you collect a person's personal property without going to court. You give it to the bank or company holding the property, and they transfer it to you.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What's the dollar limit for a California Small Estate Affidavit?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"For a death on or after April 1, 2025, the gross value of the California personal property you're claiming has to be $208,850 or less. The date of death sets the figure, and it next adjusts April 1, 2028.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What counts toward the small estate limit?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Solo bank and brokerage accounts, a final paycheck, stocks, a vehicle, and valuable belongings. Things with a named beneficiary or payable-on-death tag, joint tenancy property, and anything in a living trust don't count, and real estate uses a separate path.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do I have to wait to use the affidavit?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. You have to wait at least 40 days from the date of death before you use the affidavit.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What if there's a house?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Real estate doesn't move with this affidavit. A primary residence uses the Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property (DE-310), and low-value real estate uses the DE-305. The Complete Simplified-Probate Kit covers all of these in one.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is this legal advice?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. ClaimKit Help is an educational guide, not a law firm. The kit gives you information about California's small estate procedures, and using it doesn't create an attorney-client relationship.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I get a refund?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, there's a 7-day refund if it isn't the right fit.\"}}]}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"ClaimKit Help","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42433450377298,"sku":null,"price":79.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0591\/6675\/2850\/files\/Affidavit_card.png?v=1780471592","url":"https:\/\/shop.claimkithelp.com\/products\/california-small-estate-affidavit-kit","provider":"ClaimKit Help","version":"1.0","type":"link"}