Probate is the court process necessary to transfer ownership of the decedent's assets to the decedent's beneficiaries or heirs. Many people believe that probate is not required when you have will. This is a false assumption. An estate is required to go through the probate process if the decedent died with a will or without anything at all.

Learn more about probate by clicking here. Most people prefer not to have their estate go through probate because probate is a lengthy court process that requires probate fees.

The only way to avoid probate is by having a properly prepare living trust in place. A living trust will allow your successor trustee to administer your estate privately and without the added court costs.