What is probate? Should probate be avoided?
Probate is the court process whereby the court oversees your Will and the distribution of your assets. It should be avoided as much as possible. Probate can easily take from 6 to 9 months which is nothing more than a delay to your heirs. If you die without a Trust, probate can be expensive. Costs can increase if your will is contested. Another reason probate should be avoided is that it is a public proceeding. Some states including California are putting decedent’s assets on the internet for all to see. This can be a little scary and can subject your heirs to unscrupulous people intent on defrauding your loved ones.
