Does Having a Will Avoid Probate?

Having a Will does not mean there will be no probate.

Probate is the process during which the court supervises the administration of your estate whether or not you have a Will.

If avoidance of probate is your goal, there are methods available which can accomplish that for you. Some examples are:

• Revocable or Irrevocable Trusts
• Naming "pay on death" or "transfer on death" beneficiaries for a variety of assets, such as bank accounts, stock account, life insurance, annuities, etc.
• Executing and recording a Transfer on Death Deed with respect to real estate

More Information on Estate Planning in Minnesota