8 Ways to Avoid Probate - 16th Edition by Mary Randolph (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Want to save your family money and hassle? Read this book!

Probate court proceedings after a death can cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorney and court fees--money that would otherwise have gone directly to your loved ones. This top-selling guide explains methods to skip the probate process, including:

• naming payable-on-death beneficiaries for financial accounts


• holding property jointly


• transferring real estate with transfer-on-death deeds


• using a living trust


• naming the right beneficiaries for IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement plans, and


• using probate shortcuts for small estates.

This updated edition covers the latest state laws on probate avoidance methods and all estate-related impacts of recent federal changes to retirement distribution rules.

Review Quotes

"...provides readers with solid advice on easy methods that can skip the probate process, from naming payable-on-death beneficiaries for financial accounts and owning property jointly to creating living trusts and more. It's been completely updated to include the latest estate laws and gift tax rules, and offers a focus on the transfer-on-death deeds which are now available in more states..." Midwest Book Review

"Randolph takes the position that the probate process is an unnecessary expenditure of time and money." Library Journal