In South Dakota, estates valued at $100,000SDCL § 29A-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitSDCL § 29A-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysSDCL § 29A-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death. Real property is outside the affidavitSDCL § 29A-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which reaches personal property only. South Dakota sets the limit by the decedent's date of deathSDCL § 29A-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an earlier death may be measured against a lower figure. An estate over the limit does not qualify, and no affidavit is prepared for it.
The creditor claim period of 4 monthsSDCL §§ 29A-3-801, 29A-3-803, 29A-3-805Verified Sep 15, 2026View source runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. A claim not presented in time is barred. Every claim is barred 36 monthsSDCL §§ 29A-3-801, 29A-3-803, 29A-3-805Verified Sep 15, 2026View source after the date of death, whether or not notice was given.
Within 180 daysSDCL 29A-3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the personal representative's appointment.
The personal representative closes an informal estate by filing a verified sworn closing statement under SDCL § 29A-3-1003, certifying that the creditor-claim period has expired (or a diligent search was made and known creditors paid), all inheritance and state estate taxes are paid, the estate is fully administered and distributed, and a copy of the statement plus a full accounting has been sent to all heirs, devisees, and unbarred claimants; no hearing or court order is requiredSDCL §§ 29A-3-1001, 29A-3-1003, 29A-3-1005, 29A-3-1006Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
No. South Dakota publishes no official formSDCL chapter 29A-3 (Uniform Probate Code Article III)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source, so the renunciation is a signed writing.