The probate process has a bad rap for making things complex and clinical. The state butts into an unclear situation and starts divvying up property according to their math over your family’s wishes. When your loved one passes on, you have more on your mind than fighting this process. The best method of jumping this hurdle is to make sure it is not a problem when the time comes.
End-of-life planning is something you can literally put off forever. But if you do, that leaves a lot of your hard-earned legacy up for grabs. If not your legacy, then your loved ones. The litigation process of securing your fair inheritance is another hurdle made easier by forward-thinking. As NPR says, talking about death is uncomfortable but we do it for those we love.
Declaring an executor and beneficiaries in writing
After a death, there are many pieces left to pick up, and knowing who is at the head of it removes a lot of the confusion out the gate. With an executor determined, that person (whether it be family or otherwise) understands that their duty is to contact any beneficiaries mentioned in a will and arrange the decedent’s estate for division.
Understanding what is there to divide
Knowing what an estate consists of comes down to more than physical objects. Property like land, banking accounts, and insurance all fall into this same category. Writing down your estate gives your loved ones plenty of direction for the long process ahead.
Avoiding interruptions
As we have mentioned before, the probate process can stall out before it has begun. Failing to plan, mishandling of property, or just having loved ones with bad blood between them can all make this end-of-life process feel eternal. Taking these precautions may smooth the probate process or, in a worst-case scenario, make litigation easier.