Probating an estate is an expensive, time-consuming and sometimes adversarial affair. It is possible, and sometimes advisable, to avoid probate. With the help of an estate planner and, perhaps, an ...

Quick ReadDeeding a house to avoid probate locks in the original cost basis, turning a $118,000 purchase into a $532,000 taxable gain at sale.Inheriting the same house resets the basis to current ...

POD and TOD designations can simplify estate transfers, but they may create costly problems when an estate gets complicated.

When you die, estate planners say, one of the finest gifts you can leave your heirs is a plan for avoiding probate. Probate is a legal process that distributes a dead person's assets and settles their ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. About 70% of U.S. adults don’t have a will or trust, according to ...

Unlike a will, a living trust does not go through probate, which can save time and reduce legal costs. This can help streamline the process of distributing assets to designated beneficiaries without ...

If the only major asset of an estate is real estate, there are a few states (Florida, Michigan, West Virginia, Texas, and Vermont) that allow the use of a special type of deed to transfer property at ...

There are a variety of issues estate planning attorneys seek to mitigate when creating an estate plan for their clients. These issues may include unnecessary income and estate taxes, and the need to ...

Here’s what I think about using the probate court to settle a decedent’s estate: Probate is an unnecessary evil that can be made necessary because of improper planning. While probate has its uses, it ...