Probate can be a complex, time-consuming, and often costly process. As an elder law attorney with decades of experience, I, Greg McIntyre, have seen how it can potentially drain an estate of its assets and leave beneficiaries waiting impatiently for their inheritance. Thankfully, there are several strategies you can employ to avoid probate and ensure a smooth transfer of your wealth to your heirs. Here are my top 10 rules for avoiding probate:
- Understand What Probate Involves: Before you can avoid probate, you need to understand what it is. Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s estate is properly distributed to heirs and designated beneficiaries and any debt owed to creditors is paid off. For larger, more complex estates, this process can be quite drawn out and expensive. Understanding the intricacies of this process is the first step towards avoiding it.
- Create a Living Trust: One of the most effective ways to avoid probate is to establish a living trust. A living trust allows you to transfer your property into a trust for your benefit during your lifetime. Upon your death, the assets are transferred directly to your designated beneficiaries by the successor trustee, bypassing the probate process entirely.
- Joint Ownership with Right of Survivorship: For physical assets like real estate, vehicles, and bank accounts, consider holding them in joint ownership with the right of survivorship. Upon your death, ownership of these assets will pass directly to the surviving owner, avoiding probate.
- Designate Beneficiaries: Many financial instruments allow you to name a beneficiary who will receive the assets directly upon your death, avoiding probate. These include life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death bank accounts.
- Give Away Assets: One simple way to avoid probate is to reduce the size of your estate while you’re still alive. Gifting assets to your heirs can help you achieve this. However, be aware of potential gift tax implications and consider consulting with an attorney or financial advisor.
- Establish a Life Estate: In a life estate, you retain the right to live in and use your property during your lifetime, but it automatically passes to a designated individual, known as a “remainderman,” upon your death, thereby avoiding probate.
- Use Small Estate Laws to Your Advantage: Many states offer simplified probate procedures or even ways to avoid probate altogether for smaller estates. Familiarize yourself with your state’s laws and determine whether your estate might qualify.
- Consider a Simplified Probate Process: In some cases, even if you can’t completely avoid probate, you may be able to simplify the process. Many states offer a simplified probate process for smaller estates or estates that do not contain real estate.
- Keep Your Estate Plan Updated: Probate can often be the result of outdated or incomplete estate planning. Regularly review and update your estate plan to reflect your current wishes and life circumstances.
- Seek Professional Help: Avoiding probate can be a complex process, and what works best will depend on your individual situation. An experienced elder law attorney can guide you through this process and help you come up with the best plan for you and your heirs.
In conclusion, avoiding probate doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. By understanding what probate involves, creating a living trust, designating beneficiaries, and keeping your estate plan updated, you can help ensure a smooth transition of your assets to your heirs. As always, consider seeking the advice of a professional to help navigate the complexities of estate planning and probate law.
Schedule your FREE consultation today: mcelderlaw.com/scheduling or Call: 1-888-999-6600.
Greg McIntyre
Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney
