About Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13, SCPA
This affidavit enables distributees to settle a small estate under New York's voluntary administration procedure when personal property does not exceed $30,000.
When you'd use it: File this form with the Surrogate's Court when the decedent's personal property (excluding joint accounts, trusts, and certain exempt property) is $30,000 or less and no prior application for letters or probate has been made.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13, SCPA is published as a PDF by the New York courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13, SCPA (PDF) →
Source: nycourts.gov
Link last checked: June 26, 2026
How to file Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13, SCPA in New York
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13, SCPA (SE-3A) when file this form with the Surrogate's Court when the decedent's personal property (excluding joint accounts, trusts, and certain exempt property) is $30,000 or less and no prior application for letters or probate has been made. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — New York probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13, SCPA carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13, SCPA to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the New York county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).