What assets go through probate, and what avoids it? – Patterson Bray PLLC

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Transcript:

The only assets subject to probate are assets in the individual’s sole name or payable to their estate. Other assets, jointly held assets pass automatically to the surviving joint owner at the individual’s death. Doesn’t matter what your will says or if you have one. Similarly, assets with beneficiary designations pass automatically to the named beneficiary. Notably, even if your will says I leave my life insurance proceeds to Jane, but the contract with the life insurance institution says you leave it to John, the assets will pass John. If you want to avoid the probate process, consider naming your loved ones or your intended beneficiaries as joint owners on your accounts or where applicable naming your intended beneficiaries as a beneficiary on your beneficiary designated assets.