8 ways to avoid probate

by Mary Randolph

Save your family money, time and headaches with a few easy steps. Probate can drag on for years, and can easily cost your family thousands of dollars- money that would otherwise have gone to them.8 Ways to Avoid Probate offers simple but effective methods to skip the entire process-- plus real-world examples of how others have used them. In the end, you'll understand:payable-on-death accountsnaming beneficiariesspecial procedures for small estatesusing joint ownership of propertycreating a living trustmaking gifts of property and moneyand moreThe 7th edition provides the latest estate and gift tax rules, updated 50-state tables on simplified probate, new IRS rules on inherited IRAs and 401(k)s. And more on how to leave real estate without probate -- 10 states now allow a special deed for this purpose.