Do retirement accounts go through probate? Discover how beneficiary designations work -- and how to keep IRAs, 401(k)s & ...

One way to avoid probate is by gifting assets while still alive. In the United States, an individual can gift up to $18,000 per person per year in 2024 ($19,000 in 2025) without incurring a gift tax.

Probate is also the process of settling the estate of someone who dies without a will (intestate). Probate may be long and complicated if the estate is large and there are many beneficiaries.

In probate administration, unresolved tensions can lead to prolonged conflicts and increased legal fees, ultimately reducing the estate’s value. The right attorney will guide you through the process ...

We constantly hear from advisors that we should plan our affairs in such a way as to avoid probate.

Everything You Need to Know About Probate originally appeared on usnews.com Update 08/30/22: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.