When you die, your estate goes through a process that manages, settles, and distributes your property according to the terms of your Will. This process is governed by state law and is called probate. Probate proceedings fall under the jurisdiction of the probate court (also called the Surrogate’s, Orphans’, or Chancery court) of the state in which you are domiciled at the time of your death. This court oversees probate of your personal property and any real estate that is located in that state. If you own property located in a state other than the state in which you are domiciled at the time of your death, a separate “ancillary” probate proceeding may need to be initiated in the other state.
Note: “Domicile” is a legal term meaning the state where you intend to make your permanent home. It does not refer to a summer home or a temporary residence.
Items that are subject to probate are known as probate assets. Probate assets generally consist of any property you own individually at the time of your death that passes to your beneficiaries according to the terms of your Will. Examples of nonprobate assets include property that is owned jointly with right of survivorship (e.g., a jointly held bank account) and property that is owned as tenants-by-the-entirety (i.e., real property owned jointly by a husband and wife). Other examples are property that passes to designated beneficiaries by operation of law, such as proceeds of life insurance and retirement benefits, and property held in trust. Property that does not pass by Will, right of survivorship, beneficiary designation, or trust will also be subject to probate.
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. If you have questions or need assistance, contact the experts at Henssler Financial:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
Disclosures: The following information is reprinted with permission from Forefield, a division of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. This article is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
