Probating an estate is the legal process of settling a deceased person’s affairs, including distributing assets, paying debts, and handling final taxes.

The process of contesting a will can be both intricate and emotionally draining, involving not just legal issues, but also family matters.

The easiest way to avoid probating estate assets is to put those assets in a trust. This, however, is also an expensive and cumbersome way to do it, that typically requires numerous transfers and funding steps to put all of the assets inside.

Everyone can benefit from an estate plan, and contrary to popular belief, it does not need to be complicated. A basic estate plan only has four elements to it: your last will, a living will, and two powers of attorney. Each item shares a common goal: to make sure your needs and values are heard when you can no longer express them. While most people don’t like to ponder their own demise, putting an estate plan together is an easy and practical measure for you and your family.