Estates come in all sizes, and you might think that your estate is too small for this classification, but you might be surprised. The definition of a small estate varies with each state. All states exempt some types of property from being included in an estate, which may enable you to avoid the probate issues of a more significant estate.
Small estates have advantages when being settled that larger estates do not have. Sometimes, your estate does not need to go through probate at all. Some states do not count the value of real estate, real estate you own in another state, cars, assets in a trust, or jointly owned property. The holdings in estates that are considered small get distributed faster than those that must go through probate court.