Avoiding Probate

If you leave your estate to your loved ones using a will or simply pass without a will, everything you own will be administered through court probate proceedings.  The process is expensive, time-consuming and open to the public.  The probate court is in control of the process until the estate has been settled and distributed.  If you are married and have children, you want to make certain that your surviving family has immediate access to cash to pay for living expenses while your estate is being settled.  It is not unusual for the probate courts to freeze assets for weeks or even months while trying to determine the proper disposition of the estate. Your surviving spouse may be forced to apply to the probate court for needed cash to pay current living expenses. You can imagine how stressful this process can be.   With proper planning, your assets can pass on to your loved ones without undergoing probate, in a manner that is quick, inexpensive and private.