Common Idaho Probate Mistakes to Avoid

Adding up only the bank accounts and the car, deciding the estate is under $100,000, and signing the affidavit while the decedent also owned land in their own name.

Assuming the surviving spouse gets the $50,000 homestead allowance and $10,000 of exempt property just by being the spouse, and never filing for them.

Treating the whole marital estate as the decedent's property to divide, or assuming with no will that the spouse takes everything, including separate property.

Skipping publication because the statute makes it optional, then distributing the estate.

Paying credit cards or a relative's loan first because they call most often.

Letting a house sit in a parent's name for years on the assumption that probate can be opened whenever someone needs to sell.

Relying on a transfer-on-death deed form bought online, or on a deed that simply names both spouses, to keep a house out of probate.