Small estate affidavit (personal property): earliest date to use (40 days after death)

40 days after date of decedent's death, under Cal. Prob. Code 13100.

Rule text

if the gross value of the decedent's real and personal property in this state does not exceed one hundred sixty-six thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($166,250), as adjusted periodically in accordance with Section 890, and if 40 days have elapsed since the death of the decedent, the successor of the decedent may, without procuring letters of administration or awaiting probate of the will

Cal. Prob. Code 13100, official source

Calculate this deadline

Deadline
Thursday, December 17, 2026
  1. Trigger (Date of decedent's death): Friday, November 6, 2026.
  2. Exclude the trigger day and count 40 calendar days: Wednesday, December 16, 2026.
  3. The period includes its last day, so the earliest day to act is the next court day: Thursday, December 17, 2026.
Rules applied
Cal. Prob. Code 13100
if the gross value of the decedent's real and personal property in this state does not exceed one hundred sixty-six thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($166,250), as adjusted periodically in accordance with Section 890, and if 40 days have elapsed since the death of the decedent, the successor of the decedent may, without procuring letters of administration or awaiting probate of the will
Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10, 17(b)(4), applied to probate proceedings by Prob. Code 1000; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 12b: "If any city, county, state, or public office, other than a branch office, is closed for the whole of any day, insofar as the business of that office is concerned, that day shall be considered as a holiday for the purposes of computing time under Sections 12 and 12a." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135." CCP 17(b)(4): "“Month” means a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed." Prob. Code 1000(a): "Except to the extent that this code provides applicable rules, the rules of practice applicable to civil actions, including discovery proceedings and proceedings under Title 3a (commencing with Section 391) of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, apply to, and constitute the rules of practice in, proceedings under this code."
Official source
  • Waiting period, not a deadline. The computed date is the 40th day; 40 days have 'elapsed' at the end of that day, so the affidavit may be presented on the FOLLOWING day. No weekend roll (roll none). Dollar ceiling is adjusted every three years under Prob. Code 890 (current figure is published by the Judicial Council; the statutory text still shows the base amount). Statute amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 331 (AB 2016), eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
  • If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.

This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.

Worked example

Date of decedent's death on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Monday, April 26, 2027.

  1. Trigger (Date of decedent's death): Monday, March 15, 2027.
  2. Exclude the trigger day and count 40 calendar days: Saturday, April 24, 2027.
  3. That day is a Saturday, but this date is fixed by the rule and does not move: Saturday, April 24, 2027.
  4. The period includes its last day, so the earliest day to act is the next court day: Monday, April 26, 2027.

Notes

Waiting period, not a deadline. The computed date is the 40th day; 40 days have 'elapsed' at the end of that day, so the affidavit may be presented on the FOLLOWING day. No weekend roll (roll none). Dollar ceiling is adjusted every three years under Prob. Code 890 (current figure is published by the Judicial Council; the statutory text still shows the base amount). Statute amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 331 (AB 2016), eff. Jan. 1, 2025.

Related deadlines

All California probate deadlines

Local rules by county

County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.

Rules current as of 2026-10-23. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.