{"id":287044,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/estate\/probate.html"},"modified":"2024-08-19T15:20:48","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T20:20:48","slug":"probate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate.html","title":{"rendered":"Probate Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><div\n    data-testid=\"fl-general-title\"\n    class=\"fl-general-title fl-flex fl-gap20 fl-items-end\"\n>\n    <div class=\"fl-general-title-heading fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n        <h1\n            class=\"fl-h1 fl-general-title-title fl-no-spacing\"\n            data-testid=\"fl-general-title-title\"\n        >\n            Probate Law\n        <\/h1>\n        <p\n            class=\"fl-general-title-description fl-text-xl fl-no-margin\"\n            data-testid=\"fl-general-title-description\"\n        >\n            Probate is a legal process to prove a will is valid. Probate court proceedings ensure the proper administration of an estate&#8217;s affairs.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/oni-harton-j-d\/\">Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/aisha-success-esq\/\">Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            August 19, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering probate court proceedings is a standard part of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate.html\">estate planning for your estate assets<\/a>. Creating a valid will can help avoid problems and confusion among your loved ones during the probate process.<\/p>\n<p>The section below provides helpful links to relevant topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div\n    class=\"fl-category-overview\"\n    data-testid=\"fl-category-overview\"\n>\n    <div\n        class=\"fl-accordion fl-category-overview-container\"\n        id=\"category-overview\"\n        data-testid=\"fl-accordion\"\n    >\n                    <div\n               class=\"fl-accordion-item fl-category-overview-item\"\n               id=\"section-1-category-overview\"\n               aria-labelledby=\"button-1-category-overview\"\n               data-testid=\"fl-accordion-item\"\n            >\n                <h2\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-header fl-flex fl-items-center fl-justify-between fl-no-margin\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-header\"\n                >\n                    <button\n                        id=\"button-1-category-overview\"\n                        aria-label=\"Category 1 content\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"section-1-category-overview\"\n                        class=\"fl-accordion-button fl-flex fl-flex-auto fl-justify-between\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                    >\n                        Probate Basics\n                        <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <i\n                                class=\"fa fa-angle-down small\"\n                                aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                            ><\/i>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/h2>\n                <div\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    id=\"content-1-category-overview\"\n                >\n                    <ul class=\"fl-no-margin fl-list\">\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/what-is-probate-.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>What Is Probate?<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/transfer-on-death-tax-implications.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Tax Implications of Transfers on Death<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/the-probate-basics.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>The Probate Basics<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/simplified-or-summary-probate-for-small-estates.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Simplified or Summary Probate for Small Estates<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/what-happens-if-you-dont-probate-a-will.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>What Happens if You Don&#039;t Probate a Will?<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div\n               class=\"fl-accordion-item fl-category-overview-item\"\n               id=\"section-2-category-overview\"\n               aria-labelledby=\"button-2-category-overview\"\n               data-testid=\"fl-accordion-item\"\n            >\n                <h2\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-header fl-flex fl-items-center fl-justify-between fl-no-margin\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-header\"\n                >\n                    <button\n                        id=\"button-2-category-overview\"\n                        aria-label=\"Category 1 content\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"section-2-category-overview\"\n                        class=\"fl-accordion-button fl-flex fl-flex-auto fl-justify-between\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                    >\n                        Probate Process and Timeline\n                        <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <i\n                                class=\"fa fa-angle-down small\"\n                                aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                            ><\/i>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/h2>\n                <div\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    id=\"content-2-category-overview\"\n                >\n                    <ul class=\"fl-no-margin fl-list\">\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/when-do-you-have-to-go-through-probate.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>When Do You Have To Go Through Probate?<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-without-a-will.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Probate Without a Will<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/how-to-file-to-be-executor-of-an-estate-without-a-will.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>How to File To Be Executor of an Estate Without a Will<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-courts-laws.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Understanding Probate &amp; Probate Courts<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-process-without-a-will.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Probate Process Without a Will<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div\n               class=\"fl-accordion-item fl-category-overview-item\"\n               id=\"section-3-category-overview\"\n               aria-labelledby=\"button-3-category-overview\"\n               data-testid=\"fl-accordion-item\"\n            >\n                <h2\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-header fl-flex fl-items-center fl-justify-between fl-no-margin\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-header\"\n                >\n                    <button\n                        id=\"button-3-category-overview\"\n                        aria-label=\"Category 1 content\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"section-3-category-overview\"\n                        class=\"fl-accordion-button fl-flex fl-flex-auto fl-justify-between\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                    >\n                        Probate Attorneys\n                        <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <i\n                                class=\"fa fa-angle-down small\"\n                                aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                            ><\/i>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/h2>\n                <div\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    id=\"content-3-category-overview\"\n                >\n                    <ul class=\"fl-no-margin fl-list\">\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/intake-questionnaire-initial-meeting-with-a-probate-lawyer.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Initial Meeting with a Probate Lawyer<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/what-is-a-probate-lawyer.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>What Is a Probate Lawyer?<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-courts-laws.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>What Is Probate Court?<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/do-i-need-a-lawyer-for-probate-.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Do I Need a Lawyer for Probate?<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div\n               class=\"fl-accordion-item fl-category-overview-item\"\n               id=\"section-4-category-overview\"\n               aria-labelledby=\"button-4-category-overview\"\n               data-testid=\"fl-accordion-item\"\n            >\n                <h2\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-header fl-flex fl-items-center fl-justify-between fl-no-margin\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-header\"\n                >\n                    <button\n                        id=\"button-4-category-overview\"\n                        aria-label=\"Category 1 content\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"section-4-category-overview\"\n                        class=\"fl-accordion-button fl-flex fl-flex-auto fl-justify-between\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                    >\n                        Avoiding Probate\n                        <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <i\n                                class=\"fa fa-angle-down small\"\n                                aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                            ><\/i>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/h2>\n                <div\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    id=\"content-4-category-overview\"\n                >\n                    <ul class=\"fl-no-margin fl-list\">\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/avoiding-probate-faqs.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Avoiding Probate FAQ<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/avoiding-the-probate-process.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Avoiding the Probate Process<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/when-is-probate-not-necessary.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>When Is Probate Not Necessary?<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/avoiding-probate.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Helping Loved Ones Avoid Probate<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div><h2>Where Does My Property Go After I Die?<\/h2>\n<p>The deceased person is also known as &#8220;the decedent.&#8221; Estate administration is a court-supervised process. It&#8217;s designed to sort out the transfer of the decedent&#8217;s property after death. A fiduciary or personal representative will handle this process from beginning to end. It&#8217;s a part of their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/estate-administration\/what-does-an-executor-do.html\">estate administration duties<\/a>. Tasks can include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Filing tax returns<\/li>\n<li>Collecting assets (personal property and real property)<\/li>\n<li>Taking an inventory of the decedent&#8217;s property<\/li>\n<li>Settling any debts and paying any income taxes<\/li>\n<li>Distributing any remaining assets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some property\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/transfer-on-death-beneficiary-for-property.html\">passes automatically to another party upon death<\/a>, such as family members in a joint bank account. Property subject to transfer-on-death instructions would go to the named beneficiary.<\/p>\n<h2>Probate Process When You Have a Will<\/h2>\n<p>You may have heard of &#8220;probating a will.&#8221; This refers to a will presented to the court that fulfills the legal requirements of a last will and testament. The decedent&#8217;s property can be transferred to beneficiaries during the probate process.<\/p>\n<p>The probate court then considers the directions written in the will during the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-process-and-timeline.html\">probate process<\/a>. If nothing is illegal or overridden by other laws, the court divides the property according to the deceased&#8217;s wishes and distributes the remaining assets to named beneficiaries.<\/p>\n<h2>Probate Process When the Will Is Contested<\/h2>\n<p>Probate may be\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/wills\/who-can-challenge-a-will-.html\">contested<\/a>\u00a0or uncontested. There may be a disgruntled named beneficiary seeking a larger share in contested probate or a family member not named in the will who challenges the validity of the last will and testament. In these situations, the probate court must sort out the legal and factual arguments raised by the various parties.<\/p>\n<h2>Probate Process When the Will Is Not Contested<\/h2>\n<p>The probate of most estates is uncontested. In these cases, the estate administrator collects the property,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/estate-administration\/paying-the-debts-of-a-deceased-relative-who-is-responsible.html\">pays debts<\/a>, including income and estate taxes, settles disputes, and transfers the remaining assets to the named beneficiaries or heirs.<\/p>\n<h2>Estate Administration Process When You Don&#8217;t Have a Will<\/h2>\n<p>A person who dies without making a will is called &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/intestate-succession-laws-by-state.html\">intestate<\/a>.&#8221; Following the decedent&#8217;s death, distributing estate assets through intestacy may be more complex without a valid will. When a decedent dies without a will, state law relating to intestate succession determines who will receive your assets. Most people would rather make that determination on their own. To avoid intestacy, you must create a valid will.<\/p>\n<h2>Avoiding Probate Court: Common Methods<\/h2>\n<p>Probate court proceedings are often criticized as being costly and time-consuming. To this end,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/avoiding-the-probate-process.html\">avoiding probate court<\/a>\u00a0can help ensure beneficiaries receive their benefits promptly and with minimal loss from unnecessary administrative costs and legal fees.<\/p>\n<p>Several estate planning approaches attempt to avoid probate proceedings in probate court. These methods seek to reduce or eliminate probate assets so there is no probate estate at death. These methods include the following:<\/p>\n<p>Certain\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/trusts.html\">trusts<\/a>, life insurance policies, and &#8220;Totten Trusts&#8221; (payable-on-death accounts) can also avoid probate proceedings. This occurs through transferring ownership to the beneficiary before death or automatically upon the creator&#8217;s death.<\/p>\n<p>Each of these processes has benefits and drawbacks. After learning the basics, it is advisable to research each option more thoroughly. This helps avoid creating new problems while attempting to eliminate probate court issues.<\/p>\n<h2>Avoiding Probate Court: Joint Property Ownership and Death Beneficiaries<\/h2>\n<p>Jointly owned property with a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/whats-the-difference-between-joint-tenants-with-survivorship-and-.html\">right of survivorship<\/a>,&#8221; also called &#8220;joint tenancy,&#8221; can avoid probate court proceedings. The deceased joint owner no longer owns the property after death, leaving only the surviving owner. For example, a decedent could own real estate through a joint tenancy, and the real property would go to the surviving owner at the decedent&#8217;s death by operation of law.<\/p>\n<p>Assets that permit you to designate a beneficiary upon death are called &#8220;death benefits.&#8221; They may also avoid estate administration. It is typical for retirement accounts, such as IRAs, to pass through beneficiary designations.<\/p>\n<h2>Avoiding Probate Court: Revocable Living Trust<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/trusts\/revocable-living-trust.html\">Revocable living trusts<\/a>\u00a0function similarly to joint property ownership. Upon death, the property automatically transfers to the beneficiary. At the decedent&#8217;s death, the property isn&#8217;t part of the decedent&#8217;s estate when estate administration occurs.<\/p>\n<h2>Avoiding Probate Court: Gifts<\/h2>\n<p>Gifting property to others before death allows the gifted property to avoid estate administration. The deceased person no longer owns the property at death. With thoughtful estate planning,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/estate-and-gift-tax-an-overview.html\">personal gifting<\/a>\u00a0can be a powerful tool to remove certain assets from your estate.<\/p>\n<h2>Avoiding Probate Court: Small Estate Affidavit<\/h2>\n<p>Some\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/simplified-or-summary-probate-for-small-estates.html\">small estates<\/a>\u00a0can be settled in some states by a simplified or summary process. This simplified process for a small estate typically involves a signed legal statement called an &#8220;affidavit&#8221; to settle the estate. A sworn affidavit can prevent a small estate from going through the probate process. This document swears a person can inherit a property item or asset. The threshold for a small estate depends on your state laws.<\/p>\n<h2>Avoiding Probate Court: Probate Exemptions<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-courts-laws\/\">Probate Court<\/a>\u00a0may be avoided through the use of a probate exemption. Exemptions allow for probate avoidance or a simplified estate administration process for smaller estates. In some states, probate court proceedings are eliminated or simplified for property left to the surviving spouse.<\/p>\n<h2>When To Call a Probate Attorney<\/h2>\n<p>The probate process can feel confusing \u2014 regardless of the size of the estate. Seeking legal advice about general probate laws, or applying the laws to your own estate, can bring you peace of mind.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/probate-estate-administration\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Finding a local attorney focusing on probate<\/a>\u00a0is an excellent first step. Many attorneys will offer a free consultation to explain the estate planning process.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        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class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex probate situations usually require a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer will take these matters seriously and enforce protections\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Many attorneys offer free consultations\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a title=\"Estate Planning Directory\" href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/probate-estate-administration\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If you need an attorney, browse our directory now.<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Popular Directory Searches<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/probate-estate-administration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Probate and Estate Administration Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/wills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wills Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Divorce 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class=\"popular-recent-item-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745849290\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-popular-recent-popular\/general-components-popular-recent-popular.svg?_i=AA\"\n                    alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"popular-recent-item-content\">\n                <h3>Popular Law Articles<\/h3>\n                <ul class=\"fl-list\">\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/the-probate-basics.html\">The Probate Basics<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/avoiding-the-probate-process.html\">Avoiding the Probate Process<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-courts-laws.html\">What is Probate Court?<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/avoiding-probate-faqs.html\">Avoiding Probate FAQs<\/a>\n                     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Articles<\/h3>\n                <ul class=\"fl-list\">\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-process-and-timeline.html\">\n                                Probate Process and Timeline\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/transfer-on-death-tax-implications.html\">\n                                Tax Implications of Transfers on Death\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/what-is-a-probate-lawyer.html\">\n                                What Is a Probate Lawyer?\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/what-does-et-al-mean-on-real-estate-property-deeds.html\">\n                                What Does Et Al. Mean on Real Estate Property Deeds?\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/when-is-probate-not-necessary.html\">\n                                When Is Probate Not Necessary?\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Probate section of FindLaw&#8217;s Estate Planning Center discusses property transfers after death and estate planning tools to simplify the probate process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":286991,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/OverviewPageController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["Content Word Count","External Links","Alt Text for All Images","Category Assigned","Rank Math SEO Plugin Validation"]},"categories":[2728],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-287044","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-estate"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=287044"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":396741,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287044\/revisions\/396741"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/286991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=287044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=287044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=287044"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=287044"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=287044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}