An Oklahoma small estate affidavit allows a decedent’s assets to be transferred from a holder to a successor without involving the court. Regardless of whether the decedent devised a will or not, Oklahoma allows estates with a total value of $50,000 or less to have its assets distributed without probate and court administration. The successor can collect assets they are entitled to by presenting the notarized affidavit to parties in possession thereof, whereupon the holder will be legally obligated to transfer the claimed assets to the successor.

Successors claiming a decedent’s vehicle will be required to execute the Small Estate Affidavit (Form MVC-405) issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission – Motor Vehicle Division.

How to Record (3 Steps)

• Step 1 – Check Requirements
• Step 2 – Complete Affidavit
• Step 3 – Collect Assets

Step 1 – Check Requirements

A small estate affidavit will allow the affiant to collect the decedent’s assets from another party without involving the court. Before using the affidavit, the affiant must ensure the following is true (§ 393):

• Ten (10) days have passed since the decedent’s death.
• The estate’s total value is $50,000 or less, not including liens and encumbrances.
• The estate’s taxes and debts have been provided for or are barred by limitations.
• A personal representative has not been appointed and there is no application/petition pending for the appointment thereof.
• The affiant is the rightful successor to the assets they are claiming.

Step 2 – Complete Affidavit

The affiant must indicate in the Small Estate Affidavit the assets they are claiming, then execute the affidavit before a notary public. If the affiant is seeking to collect a vehicle, they should use the Small Estate Affidavit (Form MVC-405) provided by the Oklahoma Tax Commission – Motor Vehicle Division.

If the decedent died intestate, up to $50,000 of their deposit account may be transferred to a successor upon affidavit with the Small Estate Affidavit for financial accounts (§ 906).

Step 3 – Collect Assets

The affidavit does not need to be filed in any office and can be presented directly to the asset holder. Any party in possession of the decedent’s assets must transfer it to the affiant upon being served the affidavit.