Free Nebraska Small Estate Affidavit

In Nebraska, the Small Estate Affidavit covers estates with personal property of $100,000 or less, 30 days after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.

Progress0%

Your Information

The Nebraska affidavit identifies the claiming successor and the basis of entitlement.

State Where the Property Is Collected*

The decedent's state. Only states where this tool prepares the affidavit are listed.

Your Full Legal Name*

The successor signing the affidavit.

Your Entitlement to the Property*

Street Address*

City*

State

ZIP Code*

Telephone

Email Address*

FREE & PRIVATE: This form is free—no account or credit card required. Your document contents and generated PDF never leave your browser—SimplyTrust does not transmit or store them. Contact details you provide (name, email, phone, state) are transmitted only to send the updates you agree to receive at download. You are responsible for saving your completed document.

SELF-HELP SERVICE: SimplyTrust provides a self-help document preparation service. We are not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice, select forms for you, or tell you how to complete forms. Our role is limited to providing a platform where you input your own information into document templates.

NOT LEGAL ADVICE: This document was created entirely based on your selections. SimplyTrust does not review, analyze, or verify your entries, nor do we verify your identity, capacity, or authority to act. You are solely responsible for determining whether this document meets your needs and for completing all required execution formalities (signatures, witnesses, notarization, or recording) in accordance with your state's laws. For any legal questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Yes. Nebraska publishes CC 15:40 Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate; the affidavit is prepared on that form.

In Nebraska, estates with personal property of $100,000 or less skip probate with the Small Estate Affidavit, 30 days after death. Nebraska sets a separate limit for real property of $100,000. Nebraska sets the limit by the decedent's date of death; 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.

30 days after the death. The affidavit states that the period has passed, so it cannot be signed earlier.

The Small Estate Affidavit is presented directly to the bank, employer, or other holder of the property — it is not filed with a court. The person indebted to the decedent or having possession of tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action belonging to the decedent, with the certified death certificate (or abstract of death) attached to the affidavit. A transfer agent of a security must change registered ownership on presentation; a financial institution accepting a check, draft, or negotiable instrument endorsed by the claiming successor is discharged (§ 30-24,125(b)-(c)). Motor vehicle / motorboat / ATV / UTV / minibike title transfers additionally go through the Department of Motor Vehicles (§ 30-24,125(d)).

The Nebraska affidavit is signed before a notary.

Small Estate Collection in Nebraska

Nebraska publishes CC 15:40 Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate. The affidavit is prepared on that form. Nebraska's name for the procedure is “Small Estate Affidavit”; it collects the decedent's property from whoever holds it without a probate case being opened.

The ceiling is $100,000; an estate over it does not qualify. Real estate has a ceiling of its own, $100,000. The ceiling is set by the decedent's date of death, so an earlier death may be measured against a lower figure. The affidavit may be signed 30 days after the death.

Nebraska says who may sign: A person claiming to be the successor of the decedent — the affidavit is 'made by or on behalf of the successor' — 30 days after the decedent's death. The affidavit must state the claiming successor's relationship to the decedent or, if there is no relationship, the basis of the successor's claim to the personal property. The affiant signs it before a notary.

Who receives it: The person indebted to the decedent or having possession of tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action belonging to the decedent, with the certified death certificate (or abstract of death) attached to the affidavit. A transfer agent of a security must change registered ownership on presentation; a financial institution accepting a check, draft, or negotiable instrument endorsed by the claiming successor is discharged (§ 30-24,125(b)-(c)).

The effect on the holder and on the successor: A person paying, delivering, transferring, or issuing property pursuant to the affidavit is discharged and released to the same extent as if dealing with a personal representative, with no duty to inquire into the truth of any statement; refusal may be compelled in a proceeding by or on behalf of the persons entitled. The recipient is answerable and accountable to any personal representative or other person having a superior right (§ 30-24,126).

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 8, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Nebraska statutes and official state code. How we research.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.

Learn more

Death of a Parent

A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.

Learn more

Loss of a Spouse

What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.

Learn more

Free tools for settling an estate in Nebraska: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Nebraska pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

Use Calculator

Can I Self-File Probate?

Nebraska has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is available.

Check Now

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

In Nebraska, the County Court appoints the personal representative and the Registrar of the county court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is available.

See the Steps

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Nebraska, creditors have 2 months from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

Check Deadlines

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

When an estate owes more than it holds, Nebraska pays the claims in 6 classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.

Check the Payment Order

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.

See Bank Requirements

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.

Estimate Value

Hire a Nebraska Probate Attorney

Browse 53 probate firms in Nebraska with addresses, contact info, and practice details.

Browse firms

All Nebraska tools

Nebraska Estate Settlement Resources

In-depth guides covering Nebraska probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.

Free Nebraska Small Estate Affidavit

In Nebraska, the Small Estate Affidavit covers estates with personal property of $100,000 or less, 30 days after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.

Progress0%

Small Estate Collection in Nebraska

Free Nebraska Small Estate Affidavit

Your Information

Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Forms for Settling an Estate in Nebraska

Notice to Creditors

Renunciation of Executor

Estate Inventory

Estate Closing

Letter of Instruction

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Tools for Settling an Estate in Nebraska

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Hire a Nebraska Probate Attorney

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Nebraska Estate Settlement Resources

Free Nebraska Small Estate Affidavit

Your Information