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Oklahoma

To the best of our knowledge, the information provided below is current and accurate. Always be sure to consult with a jurisdictional authority before using this information to educate or counsel your clients.

State Estate or Inheritance Taxes

Oklahoma has no state estate or inheritance tax.

Small Estate Probate

Every state offers a fast track or shortcut for the probate of "small estates." Some assert that probate court is the proper forum for passing a small estate to the heirs, the idea being that if an estate is not valued over a certain minimum threshold, it is too small for serious estate planning.

To be sure, when a state's small estate probate threshold is extremely low, using this shortcut to settle an estate that qualifies may be the obvious choice. However, the small estate probate threshold in some states is substantial, in which case serious issues should be considered before you allow a client to go to the default system of the state court. When small estate probate is appropriate and what the client desires, refer to the following information.

Oklahoma offers two probate shortcuts for "small estates." This makes it easier for survivors to transfer property left by a person who has died. You may be able to transfer a large amount of property using these shortcuts -- saving time, money, and hassle.


Here are the two ways you can skip or speed up probate. (If the affidavit procedure is used, there's no need to use the simplified probate procedure.)

Claiming Property With a Simple (Small Estate) Affidavit

Oklahoma has a procedure that allows inheritors to skip probate altogether when the value of all the assets left behind is less than a certain amount. All an inheritor has to do is prepare a short document, stating that he or she is entitled to a certain asset. This document, signed under oath, is called an affidavit. When the person or institution holding the property -- for example, a bank where the deceased person had an account -- gets the affidavit and a copy of the death certificate, it releases the asset.

The out-of-court affidavit procedure is available if the fair market value of the estate in Oklahoma, less liens and encumbrances, is $50,000 or less. There is a ten-day waiting period. The inheritor can use this process to change the registered owner of a severed mineral interest, stock, bond, or other registered personal property. 58 Okla. Stat. Ann § 393.

Simplified Probate Procedures

Oklahoma has a simplified probate process for small estates. To use it, an inheritor files a written request with the local probate court asking to use the simplified procedure. The court may authorize the executor to distribute the assets without having to jump through the hoops of regular probate.

You can use the simplified small estate process in Oklahoma if the value of the estate is $200,000 or less, if the deceased person has been dead for more than five years, or if he or she resided in another state at the time of death. 58 Okla. Stat. Ann § 245.

The request must contain the following information:

  • your relationship to the deceased person

  • the deceased person's name, age, address, and date of death

  • the original or certified copy of the will

  • a statement that you believe the will was validly executed or that you searched for the will and can't find it

  • the names, ages, and addresses of the executor and any other inheritors

  • the names and addresses of all known creditors

  • a description of the personal property and its value, and

  • a description of the real property, its value, and the legal description of real property.

The court then provides notice to creditors and schedules a final hearing. 58 Okla. Stat. Ann § 246.