8 Ways to Avoid Probate

by Mary Randolph J.D.

Overview

Want to save your family money and hassle? Read this book!

Probate court proceedings after a death can drag out and cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorney and court fees—money that would otherwise have gone directly to your loved ones.

This top selling guide shows you the most effective ways to skip the probate process:

name payable-on-death beneficiaries for financial accounts

own property jointly

leave real estate with transfer-on-death deeds

use a living trust

name the right beneficiaries for IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement plans, and

use probate shortcuts for small estates.

Completely updated, this edition includes the latest state laws on probate avoidance methods, and covers all the estate-related impacts of the recent changes to federal rules on retirement distributions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781413331707
Publisher:	NOLO
Publication date:	04/30/2024
Edition description:	15th ed.
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	295,079
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Mary Randolph earned her law degree from the The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. She is the author of The Executor's Guide: Settling Your Loved One's Estate or Trust, and 8 Ways to Avoid Probate. Randolph is also a coauthor of the legal manual for Quicken WillMaker Plus. She has been a guest on The Today Show and has been interviewed by many publications, including The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Thinking About Probate Avoidance 1. Set Up Payable-on-Death Accounts 2. Name a Beneficiary for Your Retirement Accounts 3. Name a Beneficiary for Stocks and Bonds 4. Name a Beneficiary for Your Vehicles 5. Name a Beneficiary for Your Real Estate 6. Hold Property in Joint Ownership 7. Create a Living Trust 8. Take Advantage of Special Procedures for Small Estates 9. Make Gifts 10. Putting It All Together Glossary Appendix: State Information Index

Editorial Reviews

"...complete details for each state"... Los Angeles Times

"...provides readers with solid advice on easy methods that can skip the probate process, from naming payable-on-death beneficiaries for financial accounts and owning property jointly to creating living trusts and more. It's been completely updated to include the latest estate laws and gift tax rules, and offers a focus on the transfer-on-death deeds which are now available in more states..." Midwest Book Review

"Randolph takes the position that the probate process is an unnecessary expenditure of time and money." Library Journal

From the Publisher