Effective January 1, 2012, the limit for small estates in California has been increased from $100,000 to $150,000 in California. Therefore, property valued at not more than $150,000 that would normally need to go through probate can be collected by inheritors through simplified probate procedures or by using an affidavit (sworn statement) to collect it without any court proceedings. The limit for transferring real estate of small value (property valued up to $50,000) can be transferred to inheritors by filing an affidavit in superior court.  Also effective January 1, 2012, a surviving spouse can use an affidavit to collect up to $15,000 in salary owed to the decreased spouse.