AL'S PROBATE CORNER WHICH PROBATE OPTION A loved one has died and you likely have to go to Probate. What to do? Step 1: separate Probate Assets (solely owned by Decedent) from Non-Probate Assets (all other). Step 2A: If the Probate Assets include: real estate of any value; or total solely owned assets of $40,000 or more, then you must proceed with the administration of a full estate; or Step 2B: If there is no real estate and the value of Probate Assets is less than $40,000, an Affidavit in Lieu of Administration should be filed with the Estate Tax Return; or Step 2C: If there are no Probate Assets (often with the death of a spouse where all assets are jointly held), then you only need to file an Estate Tax Return - Tax Purposes Only estate. Please note that all assets, Probate and Non-Probate, must be included on the Estate Tax Return. For more information, please visit IppolitoforProbate.com. AL IPPOLITO PROBATE JUDGE BRANFORD AND NORTH BRANFORD PAID FOR BY IPPOLITO FOR PROBATE, SANDRA KRAUS TREASURER. APPROVED BY AL IPPOLITO AL'S PROBATE CORNER WHICH PROBATE OPTION A loved one has died and you likely have to go to Probate . What to do ? Step 1 : separate Probate Assets ( solely owned by Decedent ) from Non - Probate Assets ( all other ) . Step 2A : If the Probate Assets include : real estate of any value ; or total solely owned assets of $ 40,000 or more , then you must proceed with the administration of a full estate ; or Step 2B : If there is no real estate and the value of Probate Assets is less than $ 40,000 , an Affidavit in Lieu of Administration should be filed with the Estate Tax Return ; or Step 2C : If there are no Probate Assets ( often with the death of a spouse where all assets are jointly held ) , then you only need to file an Estate Tax Return - Tax Purposes Only estate . Please note that all assets , Probate and Non - Probate , must be included on the Estate Tax Return . For more information , please visit IppolitoforProbate.com . AL IPPOLITO PROBATE JUDGE BRANFORD AND NORTH BRANFORD PAID FOR BY IPPOLITO FOR PROBATE , SANDRA KRAUS TREASURER . APPROVED BY AL IPPOLITO