About Small Estates Affidavit
To obtain insurance proceeds (up to $11,000) from a deceased person's estate without opening a full probate proceeding.
When you'd use it: When the decedent has minimal probatable assets and insurance proceeds payable to the estate do not exceed $11,000 and 60+ days have elapsed since death.
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 the decedent has minimal probatable assets and insurance proceeds payable to the estate do not exceed $11,000 and 60+ days have elapsed since death. 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).