|
Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person. It involves identifying and inventorying the deceased person's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries. Probate is necessary for some situations, but not in others. Probate is generally necessary when the deceased person owned assets in their own name and did not have a valid plan in place to transfer those assets to their beneficiaries after their death. Examples of assets that may need to go through probate include real estate, personal property, bank accounts, and investments. Probate may also be necessary if the deceased person had a will, as the will must be proved to be valid in probate court. If there is no will, or if the will is deemed invalid, the assets of the estate will be distributed according to state laws of intestacy, which determine how the assets will be distributed based on the relationships of the deceased person's family members. There are certain assets that do not need to go through probate. These include assets that are jointly owned, assets with a named beneficiary, and assets held in a trust. For example, if a person owns a bank account jointly with another person, the surviving joint owner will automatically become the sole owner of the account upon the death of the other owner, and the account will not need to go through probate. Similarly, if a person has a life insurance policy with a named beneficiary, the policy proceeds will be paid directly to the beneficiary and will not be subject to probate. Probate can be a lengthy and expensive process, as it involves court fees and attorney's fees. It can also be a time-consuming process, as it can take several months or even years to complete, depending on the complexity of the estate. For these reasons, many people try to avoid probate by setting up their estate in a way that will avoid the need for probate. There are several steps that a person can take to avoid probate. One option is to create a living trust. A living trust is a legal document that allows a person to transfer ownership of their assets to a trust while they are still alive. The trust is managed by a trustee, and upon the person's death, the assets in the trust are distributed to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust. Because the assets are held in trust, they do not need to go through probate. Another option is to make use of beneficiary designations. Many assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and bank accounts, allow a person to name a beneficiary who will receive the assets upon their death. If the assets are properly designated to a beneficiary, they will not need to go through probate. Finally, a person can also use a transfer-on-death deed to transfer ownership of the real estate to their beneficiaries upon their death. A "transfer-on-death" deed is a legal document that allows a person to transfer ownership of the real estate to a named beneficiary upon their death. The transfer is not effective until the owner's death, and the property does not need to go through probate. In conclusion, probate is necessary when a person owns assets in their own name and does not have a valid plan in place to transfer those assets to their beneficiaries after their death. However, there are steps that a person can take to avoid probate, such as creating a living trust, making use of beneficiary designations, and using a transfer-on-death deed. By taking these steps, a person can ensure that their assets are transferred to their beneficiaries in a timely and cost-effective. About The Author Jim Turner is a USA-based author of Legal issues related to estate planning, will & trust, business law, and elder law. Jim Turner does his best writing on these topics last will and testament Michigan which helps users to find the best solutions to their FAQ on estate planning, probate laws, living trust, and more about legal family issues. The author can be reached through rochesterlawcenter.com
Related Articles -
probate, probate laws, probate court, probate attorney,
| 
