Does Having a Will Avoid Probate?
Nope.
Your Will controls what happens to your probate property when you die. (What's probate property? Gotcha covered here.) And....Probate property is subject to probate...
Lots of people talk about the importance of avoiding probate. That may be the right solution for some, but probably isn't a realistic goal for the majority of people. Why? Well, if about 60% of Americans don't even have Wills, then it's even less likely they'll go through the more complex (and expensive) process of creating a Revocable Living Trust (one of the most common ways to avoid probate). Curious about what creating a Revocable Living Trust entails? Stay tuned for a future blog post on the topic or get in touch with me now to talk about it.
Don't forget, you don't have to figure this out alone! Consulting with an Estate Planning Attorney can help you decide what will work best for you. My Estate Plan Initial Consultation appointments are perfect for this - one time, no (continuing) obligation, get the info you need and decide for yourself -contact me for details.
Not quite ready for all that? Check out other &Law blog posts for more estate planning info.