Summary Administration may be used if the value of the estate subject to probate (excludes exempt property such as the homestead) is not more than $75,000 and the decedent’s debts are paid (or the creditors do not object), or the decedent has been dead for more than two years.

The Summary Administration process can take anywhere from 1 week to several months to complete.  An interested person such as a beneficiary can file a petition to begin the proceedings in the county where the decedent was domiciled or where the decedent owned real property.

Unlike Formal Administration, there is no court-appointed personal representative.  Other interested persons such as other beneficiaries are required to “join in” or agree to the proceedings.