About Small Estates Affidavit
To obtain insurance proceeds (not exceeding $11,000) from a deceased person's estate without initiating a full probate proceeding.
When you'd use it: When a decedent has only insurance proceeds to collect, at least 60 days have passed since death, and there are no probatable assets requiring an estate proceeding.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Small Estates Affidavit is published as a PDF by the Pennsylvania 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:
Verified official PDF
Download Small Estates Affidavit (PDF) →
Source: berkspa.gov
Link last checked: May 30, 2026
How to file Small Estates Affidavit in Pennsylvania
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Small Estates Affidavit when when a decedent has only insurance proceeds to collect, at least 60 days have passed since death, and there are no probatable assets requiring an estate proceeding. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Pennsylvania 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 Small Estates Affidavit 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 Small Estates Affidavit to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Pennsylvania county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).