What you get
- An editable Word document, drafted from your answers and the state's official text.
- A proof of sources: every citation in the draft with the words it quotes, the official source, the date the text was saved and its fingerprint.
- Notes for counsel listing each point marked [VERIFY], each blank and each choice left for the client.
- It is filed with a court, so the notes include filing reminders for the court's own rules.
What the intake asks
Plain questions, in the order an attorney would take the facts. Anything left blank stays a marked blank in the draft; nothing is invented to fill it.
The affiant and the decedent
- Affiant's full legal name
- Affiant details
- Decedent's full legal name
- The decedent
- Is a certified death certificate in hand
The estate
- Did the decedent leave a will
- The will
- Assets to be collected
- Total value of the probate assets
- Debts, funeral and taxes
- Persons entitled to the property
Filing
- Has anyone applied to administer the estate
- Vehicles or titled property
- Where the affidavit goes
- Other instructions
Where it is offered
Every state Lawsmith has official sources for:
CaliforniaConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaMarylandMassachusettsNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaTexasVirginia
Official sources on file
The drafter works from the texts Lawsmith has saved for this document in the state you choose, plus federal law where it applies. Each is read from the official publisher and dated.
| State | Sources for this document |
|---|---|
| California | 30 |
| Connecticut | 9 |
| Delaware | 6 |
| District of Columbia | 7 |
| Florida | 18 |
| Maryland | 12 |
| Massachusetts | 7 |
| New Jersey | 7 |
| New York | 16 |
| Ohio | 12 |
| Pennsylvania | 8 |
| Texas | 16 |
| Virginia | 10 |
Among them, for New Jersey:
- N.J.S.A. 3B:5-3 Intestate share of decedent's surviving spouse, partner in a civil union, domestic partner
- N.J.S.A. 54:35-19 Transfer of assets
- N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 When spouse, partner in a civil union, or domestic partner entitled to assets without administration.
- N.J.S.A. 3B:10-4 When heirs entitled to assets without administration.
- N.J.S.A. 3B:10-5 Discharge of corporations or persons making payments or delivering assets under N.J.S. 3B:10-3 or N.J.S. 3B:10-4
How the draft is checked
Before it writes, the drafter must quote the official text behind each citation. Lawsmith compares every quotation with the text on file, character for character; a citation with no checked quotation reaches you marked [VERIFY]. The draft still needs your review before it is signed, filed or sent. How citations are checked
More probate & administration documents
Petition for Probate and LettersNotice to CreditorsNotice to Heirs and BeneficiariesEstate InventoryEstate AccountingReceipt, Release and Refunding AgreementDisclaimer of InheritanceExecutor's Deed