Q: My mom just passed. I am her only child no property, cc, or will but some medical bills. Do I need to go thru probate?
A: If your mother left no more than a home, up to $60,000 in household goods and personal property and up to $75,000 in other property -- and no Will -- you and the other heirs need only file an Affidavit of Small Estate, available at your county probate court and/or on its website. Since about half are bounced back for errors, you might want to pay an attorney to review and efile it for you. This should still cost only between 1/3rd and 1/2 the cost of probating and Will. You will probably get a decision in about two weeks.
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