Avoiding Probate

Avoiding the time and cost of Probate is the primary goal of most of my clients. This goal can usually be accomplished by how you title your assets. Life Insurances, IRA’s, and 401K’s with beneficiaries do not need to be probated. Assets owned as husband and wife or as joint tenants with right of survivorship do not need to be probated, the asset would pass to the survivor. Joint bank accounts and accounts with designated beneficiaries would pass to the beneficiary listed upon the passing of the account holder. The use of a Trust can also be a tool when you want to provide for beneficiaries who are under a certain age, someone who has special needs, someone who is financially irresponsible, or has a dependency problem.