How to Make Probate Less Painful

Probate is a process in which a will is verified and entered into the public record. At that point, an executor is allowed to inventory and distribute assets, close accounts and pay taxes. This process can take up to several years to complete, but you can take steps now to make probate as easy as possible for your family.

Hold Assets Outside of Your Estate

Only assets that are in your estate are subject to probate. Creating a trust or using a beneficiary designation are ways to take assets out of your estate, which means that they can be transferred immediately upon your death. Assets such as a home, a bank account or a car can be titled in a manner that allows them to be transferred to a beneficiary as soon as you die.

Communicate With Your Loved Ones

Communicating with your loved ones can make it easier for everyone to understand why your estate plan is structured a certain way. When your intentions are clear, it can reduce the chances of a spouse, a child or anyone else filing a legal challenge to a will. Effective communication can be especially important if you are part of a blended family. In such a scenario, conflicts between your children and your second spouse could find their way into probate court.

Find Legal Counsel to Represent Your Interests

A probate attorney in Las Vegas may be willing to help represent your estate in court after you pass. An attorney may be able to handle creditor claims in a timely manner or prevent an executor from making mistakes that could delay the settling of your estate. When done properly, probate may only take a few days or weeks to complete.