Why avoid probate?

Most wills have to be probated. The rules vary from state to state, but in some states, smaller estates are exempt from probate, or they may qualify for an expedited process.

Probate can be slow. Depending on where your executor probates your estate and the size of your probate estate, the probate process can take as little as three months or as long as three years. Three years can be a long time to wait for needed income. It can take even longer if the estate is a complicated one or if any of the heirs are contesting the will.

Probate can be costly. Probate costs usually include court costs (filing fees, etc.), publication costs for legal notices, attorney’s fees, executor’s fees, bond premiums, and appraisal fees. Court costs and attorney’s fees can vary from state to state. Typically, the larger the estate, the greater the probate costs. However, if a smaller estate has complex issues associated with its administration or with distribution of its assets (e.g., if the person who died owned property in several states), probate can be quite costly.

Probate is a public process. Wills and any other documents submitted for probate become part of the public record–something to consider if you or your family members have privacy concerns.

Why choose to go through probate?

For most estates, there’s usually little reason to avoid probate. The actual time and costs involved are often modest, and it just doesn’t make sense to plan around it. And there are actually a couple of benefits from probate. Because the court supervises the process, you have some assurance that your wishes will be abided by, and if a family squabble should arise, the court can help settle the matter. Further, probate offers some protection against creditors. As part of the probate process, creditors are notified to make their claims against the estate in a timely manner. If they do not, it becomes much more difficult for them to make their claims later on.

In addition, some states require that your will be probated before the beneficiaries under your will can exercise certain rights. Among the rights that may be limited are the right of your surviving spouse to waive his or her share under the will and elect a statutory share instead, use your residence during his or her remaining life, set aside certain property, and receive a family allowance.

How to avoid probate

An estate plan can be designed to limit the assets that pass through probate or to avoid probate altogether. Property may be passed outside of probate by owning property jointly with right of survivorship; by ensuring that beneficiary designation forms are completed for those types of assets that allow them, such as IRAs, retirement plans, and life insurance (to avoid probate you shouldn’t name your estate as beneficiary); by putting property in a trust; and by making lifetime gifts.