
How Can I Minimize My Probate Estate?
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. Anyone with a bank account, house, car or other personal property should have a will.

Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. Anyone with a bank account, house, car or other personal property should have a will.

For larger estates, a revocable trust is generally the most effective tool for avoiding probate. It involves some setup costs. However, it allows you to manage the disposition of all of your wealth in one document, while retaining control and reserving the right to modify your plan.

Avoiding probate usually is the main appeal for living trusts. Trusts also can provide a gentler transition, if the grantor becomes incapacitated.

Adding an adult child to your house deed, or giving them the home outright, might seem like a smart thing to do. It usually isn’t.

Adding an adult child to your house deed, or giving them the home outright, might seem like a smart thing to do. It usually isn’t.