Avoid Putting Your Legacy Through Probate

Probate can have an impact on how your legacy is handled after passing on. It can mean the difference between an easy transition, or stressing your family members out during a time of grief. Essentially, probate is when the court steps in and makes sure your assets are distributed or handled based on state law. 

Probate can be a long and expensive legal process that can add more pressure to surviving loved ones, who will already be in the midst of their loss. So, many people choose to plan ahead of time in hopes that their estate won’t go through probate. On average, probate takes between six months to a year, or longer. The larger and more complex the estate, the longer it’s likely to take. 

One of the most strategic ways to avoid probate is by speaking with a lawyer about writing an estate plan. In these documents, you would leave behind instructions for how you want your assets to be handled after your passing. You can choose the names of beneficiaries who you want to receive a certain asset of yours, whether that be money, property, heirlooms, or sentimental items. 

If you pass away without having written an estate plan, then your assets are subject to your state’s intestacy laws. This means that your assets may not be distributed based on how you would have wished, and some people may receive a part of your legacy that you wish hadn’t.
Many people put off writing an estate plan simply because it’s uncomfortable to plan for a time when you are no longer here. However, it’s imperative that you have these documents set in place for the future of your legacy and loved ones. Consider contacting a probate lawyer Des Moines, IA from The Law Group of Iowa today for more information.