Is Probate Necessary? Probate is the legal process of validating a person’s will, paying their last debts and distributing their estate property to the proper heirs.
Whether or not an estate requires probate depends on many factors, including the decedent’s assets and state law. Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid probate.
What Is Probate?
Probate is the legal process that identifies a person’s assets, pays any debts, and distributes the remainder of their property to their heirs. It carries out the instructions in a deceased person’s will or according to state law if they don’t leave a will.
However, not all estates require probate. Several states allow estates valued under a certain amount to pass on without it or through a simplified version of probate.
To help you avoid the stress, cost, time and pain of probate, it is a good idea to make sure your estate is properly planned. You can do this by forming a Will or Living Trust that will protect your assets and heirs.
If you’re concerned about how probate will affect your loved ones, speak with an attorney who can advise you on what steps you should take to minimize the impact of probate. By making probate as simple and affordable as possible, you can ensure that your final wishes will be followed and your loved ones taken care of.
What Is Non-Probate Property?
When a person dies, their assets are divided into two legal categories. These are probate property and non-probate property.
In many cases, a person may have both probate and non-probate assets. However, it is important to understand the difference between the two in order to properly plan for your estate.
Non-probate property is any asset that passes to a beneficiary outside of the will, and outside of the probate process. Examples of non-probate assets include jointly owned real estate, 401(k)s and life insurance policies.
In some states, non-probate property does not subject to inheritance tax, including jointly titled real estate. This is most often the case with homes that were purchased prior to 1980, or with deeds held as joint tenants with rights of survivorship.
What Is Probate Property?
Probate property is property that needs to go through the probate process in order for it to be distributed to heirs. It includes all of the assets that a deceased person owned at their death, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, and other titled property.
If you’re concerned that some of your personal property may end up in the probate process, there are ways to avoid it. One way is to set up a trust.
A trust is a legal agreement between a trustee and beneficiaries that governs how and when assets are distributed to those beneficiaries. It’s a great way to protect your assets from creditors and taxes, and it also helps ensure that your estate can be divided according to your wishes.
Another way to protect your property from the probate process is by converting certain financial accounts into “pay-on-death” accounts. These accounts can be converted by simply signing a form from the financial institution and designating a beneficiary.
Can I Avoid Probate?
Probate can be an unpleasant, long and expensive process for your family members. It also creates a public record that your estate’s creditors will have access to.
Fortunately, there are several legal tools you can use to avoid probate and convey your assets to whom you want them to go. Some of these include the creation of a living trust, joint ownership, and payable-on-death bank accounts.
These strategies ensure that your loved ones receive the assets you’ve left for them immediately and without the added hassles of a court proceeding.
The most common methods for avoiding probate are the creation of a living trust, and joint ownership of property. You can also designate beneficiaries on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and bank pay-on-death accounts.
