15+ SAMPLE Affidavit of Heirship in PDF | MS Word

Heirship isn’t a controversial topic until it threatens the relationships of family members or non-family people. But how can you figure out who will inherit and what will be passed down? An Affidavit of Heirship is useful if you are in line to inherit personal property, real estate, or money after the death of a predecessor. Aside from a will and testament, anyone with the right affidavit can establish property ownership.

Heirship is the legal right in order to receive money, property or any other possessions from a person who has died without living any will, or so called “interstate”. An interstate is someone who died without a will and fails to detail who their personal representative or their executor is or how that person is to distribute their assets. In these scenarios, state intestacy laws are the ones who will be determining who has priority to be appointed executor and to whom should the decedent’s property be distributed. 

Heirs are typically the deceased’s surviving offspring, descendants, or other family members. In other cases, spouses are not considered legal heirs because they have a right to inherit property under marital or community property rules. Heirs are not the same as beneficiaries, who are legally entitled to the decedent’s property since the decedent named them as the intended beneficiaries of the decedent’s assets in a will or trust.

What Is an Affidavit of Heirship? 

A legal document that identifies the heirs of a deceased individual who died without a valid or enforceable will is known as an affidavit of heirship. This document is used to prove ownership of a person’s real property, such as a home or a piece of land, by a spouse or family member. In some areas, heirs can file an Affidavit of Heirship to demonstrate property ownership after the original owner passes away intestate. When the decedent merely left real property, personal property, or a tiny inheritance, affidavits of heirship are commonly utilized. However, in some states, such as California, a minor estate affidavit is used instead of an Affidavit of Heirship, and only in specific circumstances. 

Affidavits of heirship can also be used to prove ownership of personal property like bank accounts and automobiles in some states. An affidavit of heirship permits family members to bypass the costly and time-consuming procedure of probate court settlement of the decedent’s estate. Its purpose is to convey all available information about the decedent, including all known family members such as spouses, parents, children, siblings, nieces and nephews, and so on, in order to distribute the decedent’s property equitably. The decedent’s heirs must come to an agreement on how the estate should be divided.

A disinterested third party must sign the affidavit, which is usually a witness who knows the decedent but is not an heir to the estate. The paperwork is then filed with the court and entered into the deed record of the county in which the property is located.  When someone dies without a will and leaves property behind, their heirs may need to file a probate court lawsuit in order to receive title to the property. In some cases, however, heirs can skip the time and expense of probate by using an Affidavit of Heirship.

An affidavit of heirship may be use for the following reasons: 

• The decedent died without a will or so called interstate 
• You are interested to take possession of the decedent’s  estate without going through probate 
• All of the decedent’s heirs have agreed on how to distribute the estate 
• There is a third party who can verify your right to the decedent’s estate 

It’s important to remember that heirs can’t utilize Affidavits of Heirship in every case, and state laws vary on how and when heirship affidavits can be used. When selecting the best approach to deal with an intestacy situation, heirs frequently seek the guidance of an experienced estate attorney.

Common Terms Used In Affidavit of Heirship 

If you’re going to use an affidavit of heirship, you’ll come across a variety of words. It is critical to become familiar with these terms in order to understand how to use them, the meaning of these terms, and who they refer to. This will also assist you in filling out the affidavit more quickly because you will already know what information is required, especially if the term differs from other affidavits. Understanding these phrases can also help you comprehend the affidavit’s purpose. The terms used in an affidavit of Heirship are listed below: 

How To Create an Affidavit of Heirship?

Depending on where you live, an heirship affidavit serves different reasons. An affidavit of heirship, for example, is used to prove ownership of personal property like bank accounts and automobiles. As a result, it’s critical to familiarize yourself with the local court’s legal requirements before drafting an affidavit. Using a template, on the other hand, is one of the finest ways to create an heirship affidavit. Download one of our templates immediately if you don’t have somebody to create an affidavit for you. To write your own affidavit, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Identify the informations that should be included

The format and content of an affidavit of heirship are governed by the laws of each state. In Texas, for example, an affidavit of heirship must be filed using the state’s probate code’s statutory form. One or two witnesses, preparatory statements, and a return mailing address are all required in some states. The following are the most usual components of an affidavit of heirship:

• Party Information – this includes the name or names of the witnesses, who will be swearing the facts in the document are true and correct. This includes the name of the decedent, their last address, date of birth and date of death. 

• Heirs – All heirs must be recorded, along with their relationship to the dead, such as spouse, child, or parent, and the dates they first met. In most states, heirs are limited to spouses, registered domestic partners, and blood relatives

• Real Estate and Personal Property – Make a list of all real and personal possessions that will be passed down to the heirs. Include the property’s complete legal description, which can be found on the deed and other papers. When identifying personal property, be as explicit as feasible. Include a detailed description of an automobile, such as the brand, model, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Identify bank accounts, equities. 

• Debts and Liabilities You should include all the decedent’s unpaid liabilities and debts 

• Attachments – Attach all documents that will help support the affidavit 

• Proof of Execution – A signature and seal of the notary who affirms the proper execution of the affidavit 

2. Make a sworn statement identifying the executor.

If you are the one who will be claiming the assets and assuming responsibility for the deceased’s assets, you must identify yourself in the affidavit, which is why having your contact information and your relationship to the decedent is particularly crucial when filling out. You will also be required to write a declaration of truth to certify to the integrity and truthfulness of the affidavit you are submitting. If you fail to comply with this requirement, you may be charged with perjury.

3. Signatures of a Witness and a Notary Public

Finish the paper with a sworn statement from you, the Affiant, declaring that all of the information in the affidavit is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. A signature line for confirmation from a disinterested witness and a notary public must be included underneath that statement. A disinterested witness is someone who is not involved in the case and will not gain from the outcome, which is required to keep the proceedings clean and neutral.

4. The affidavit should be filed with the court

What occurs next in the affidavit process depends on your state’s procedures. In other circumstances, all you have to do is present the completed affidavit and the death certificate to the person who owns the assets, and they will release them. Other places, on the other hand, require you to first obtain probate court approval, which may result in the issuance of a more formal set of paperwork that you will use to claim the decedent’s assets. If your county permits it, you can file the affidavit in person, by mail, or even online if your county allows it. If your county allows it, you’ll almost certainly have to pay a charge.

FAQs: 

Heirship affidavits allow the deceased’s family and relatives to handle real estate concerns without the need for court action. However, because of the potential for problems, an heirship affidavit is the least preferred alternative in circumstances involving high-value properties. To discuss your issue and choose the best course of action, you should always contact your county recorder’s office or get expert assistance from a lawyer.