Estate Planning & Probate Avoidance
Keep your assets out of probate court. These strategies are used by millions of Americans and have been validated by decades of estate planning law.
Why Probate Avoidance Matters
Without proper planning, your assets go through probate court—a process that can take 6-24 months, cost 3-7% of your estate in fees, and create a public record of everything you owned. Your heirs wait while lawyers get paid. These strategies prevent that.
Strategies
Revocable Living Trust
The foundation of probate avoidance. You control everything while alive, assets transfer instantly at death.
Effectiveness
high
Complexity
medium
Typical Cost
$1,500 - $3,000 with attorney
Setup Time
2-4 weeks
Benefits
- •Avoids probate entirely for funded assets
- •Private—not public record like a will
- •You maintain full control while alive
- •Can be modified or revoked anytime
- •Works across state lines
Things to Consider
- •Must "fund" the trust by re-titling assets
- •Doesn't help with estate taxes (for large estates)
- •Still need a pour-over will as backup
State-Specific Notes
Works in all 50 states. Some states (like CA) have expensive probate, making trusts more valuable.
Educational Information
This information is provided for educational purposes and general guidance. Estate planning involves complex legal and tax considerations that vary by state and individual circumstances. We recommend consulting with a qualified estate planning attorney and/or CPA before implementing any strategy.