ABA Family Legal Guide

Estate Planning

Probate

We all know about traffic court and criminal court and small-claims court. But they don't do TV shows about probate court. What is this institution that most of us can live without but not die without?

This section covers the basics of probate, the procedure that determines the validity of a will, and the probate process.

1. What is probate?
2. Who is involved in the probate process?
3. I've heard that probate is expensive, time consuming, and bureaucratic. True?
4. How long does probate take? How does my family survive before my estate is freed up?
5. What are the advantages of probate?
6. How much does probate cost?
7. How can I avoid or limit probate?
8. What if my estate doesn't qualify for such simplified probate?
9. Should I plan my estate to try to avoid probate?
10. Can't I just avoid probate by not writing a will?
11. Is a lawyer necessary for probate?
12. What can my family do to reduce the costs of probating my estate?
13. What does it mean when a will is contested?
14. How can I plan to avoid a will contest?