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South Dakota Estate Value Calculator

A South Dakota statute most other states don't have makes a surviving joint tenant liable for the deceased owner's own debts — and a real court case shows a family had to return money withdrawn from a "joint" account that was never actually meant as a gift. Check each asset below to see what actually counts toward the probate estate.

SDCL § 43-2-14, § 43-46-1, § 29A-6-401 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · Reviewed 2026 · How we calculate

What's in this estate?

For each asset the person owned, enter its value and how it's titled. We'll sort each one into the South Dakota probate estate or outside it.

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South Dakota probate estate (what a court oversees)
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Is this small enough to skip probate? →
Facing probate in South Dakota?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a South Dakota attorney

Survivorship real estate that can carry the deceased's debts

Under SDCL §§ 43-2-11 to 43-2-17, joint tenancy needs clear intent or it defaults to a tenancy in common. But a genuinely distinctive South Dakota statute, § 43-46-1, makes surviving joint owners liable for a deceased owner's own debts and obligations. See our full breakdown of South Dakota joint tenancy rules.

A TOD deed that documents two deaths in one instrument

South Dakota adopted its Real Property Transfer on Death Act in 2014. For joint tenants who made a TOD deed together, a single Affidavit of Confirmation documents both the first owner's death and the second, effective one. See our full guide to the South Dakota TOD deed.

Bank accounts: a presumption that can be rebutted

A joint account presumptively passes to the survivor, but a real South Dakota Supreme Court case shows an estate can recover that money with the right evidence. See our guide to South Dakota beneficiary and P.O.D. accounts.

Where this feeds into other South Dakota calculators

The probate-estate total from this tool is the starting point for South Dakota's probate cost and executor fee calculators, and for checking South Dakota's small estate procedures. South Dakota has no state estate or inheritance tax, so this total doesn't feed into a separate state tax calculation.

South Dakota estate value — frequently asked questions

Does jointly owned real estate skip probate in South Dakota?

Yes, if it's held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship. The property passes automatically to the surviving joint tenant without a probate proceeding.

Can a South Dakota surviving joint tenant be liable for the deceased owner's debts?

Yes. South Dakota statute specifically makes a surviving joint owner liable for the debts and obligations of a deceased joint owner in joint tenancy with right of survivorship.

Does South Dakota have a transfer on death deed?

Yes. South Dakota adopted its Real Property Transfer on Death Act in 2014, codified at SDCL Sections 29A-6-401 to 29A-6-435.

Does a South Dakota joint bank account automatically pass to the survivor?

Presumptively, yes - but that presumption can be rebutted. A South Dakota Supreme Court case confirmed an estate can recover funds if it proves by clear and convincing evidence the deceased owner never intended survivorship.

What documents South Dakota real estate when a TOD deed was made by joint tenants?

A single Affidavit of Confirmation, recorded after the last surviving joint owner dies, documents both deaths at once - the first owner's death, where survivorship applied, and the second, where the TOD deed itself became effective.

South Dakota estate value tools & guides

South Dakota Joint Tenancy RulesSurvivors can inherit the deceased's debts South Dakota TOD DeedOne affidavit, two deaths in the record South Dakota Beneficiary AccountsA real case where the estate won the money back South Dakota Small Estate CheckerIs this estate small enough to skip probate? South Dakota Probate Cost CalculatorWhat full probate would cost on this total South Dakota Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on South Dakota statute (SDCL § 43-2-11 et seq., § 43-46-1, § 29A-6-401 et seq., § 29A-6-104) verified per our methodology. How a specific asset is actually classified depends on its full paperwork, account agreement, or deed language. Confirm with the county Register of Deeds or a licensed South Dakota attorney before acting.