questions & answers

Question: I live in a manufactured home on my daughers land. In lieu of space rent, I "sold" my trailer and car to her back in 2010. It is now jointly titled. When I die, I will only have household possessions, clothes, some jewerly. My entire possessions if sold at yard sale prices would probably net less than $2,000. Would my daughter have to do a Small Estate Affidafidt for my few earthly possessions? The cost of filing and hiring a lawyer would surpass the value. I may have to go on Medicaid as well- do they go after personal possessions (not property)? I would hate to have to cause such a burden for such few possessions. Thank you!

Answer: A Small Estate Affidavit must be filed if the value of all of the personal property (cash, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, cars, jewelry, money owed to the person who died, etc.) in the estate of the person who died, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $50,000. (http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/sscdocs/packets/pbse1.pdf) The AHCCCS brochure http://azlawhelp.org/documents/AHCCCSHealthInsuranceBrochure.pdf contains information about the program including prices.