In some states, the probate process can be long and expensive. Wills, when they are probated, are public documents and anyone can go to the courthouse and view the Will. While there is a valid reason for drafting a Will and having it probated, in some cases this may not be the very best way to handle the transfer of assets from one generation to the next. This is especially true when the individuals involved are of modest means and do not have significant amounts of property. The following are several examples of devices which can be used to avoid the necessity of probate.
Joint Ownership of Property
When two individuals own property, and they want the survivor of the two to become the sole owner of the property they enter into a type of deed which specifically has the right of survivorship. In New York State a deed which allows for the survivor to inherit the property is called a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, or a tenancy by the entirety for married individuals. This type of deed causes the property upon the death of the first one to die to automatically vest title to the entire parcel of property in the other individual’s name.
Gifts
Simply speaking, if you gift your assets to others during the course of your lifetime you will have no property to be inherited at the time of your death. There are various Internal Revenue Service rules concerning the gifting of property. As of the writing of this article an individual can gift up to $5,430,000 (a married couple can give $10,860,000 specifically $5,430,000 for both the husband and wife) during the course of his or her lifetime without it creating a Federal taxable event. The amount an individual can give to others during his or her lifetime goes up each and every year based on a formula which deals with inflation. In addition, an individual can, each and every year, give the sum of $14,000 to each recipient in each calendar year. Couples who are married, therefore, can give up to $28,000 to individuals in each and every calendar year.
If a family friend or loved one has medical bills, you can offer to pay for the medical treatment and there is no limit under the Internal Revenue Code as to payments of this nature to help out a friend or loved one.
Living Trusts
A living trust is a testamentary vehicle which will allow an individual to avoid having a will which needs to be probated. In theory, the individual puts his assets in the name of the living trust and therefore these assets are removed from the individual’s estate. When living trusts are created it is necessary to have a pour over will drafted so any assets which are not included in the trust will be poured back into the trust at the time of the individual’s death.
Pay on Death Accounts
If you have maintained money in banks or other financial institutions, you can designate that upon your death all of the assets in the account be paid over to an individual of your choice. When you pass, the individual named on the account needs to provide a valid, original death certificate to prove your death and thereafter all of the funds in the account would be paid over to him or her.
Conclusion
The best way to avoid probate is to meet with a qualified estate planning attorney and work out an estate plan which meets your family’s needs.