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8 Ways to Avoid Probate
Want to save your family money and hassle? Read this book! Probate court proceedings after a death can drag out and cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorney and court fees—money that would otherwise have gone directly to your loved ones. This topselling guide shows you the most effective ways to skip the probate Completely updated, this edition includes the latest state laws on probate avoidance methods, and covers all the estate-related impacts of the recent changes to federal rules on retirement distributions.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
29 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Mary Randolph
16 books2 followersFor other authors named Mary Randolph please see this page.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 2, 2022
Review originally published August 2013
Probably every family wonders how to plan so as to reduce hassle and expense when property or belongings are left to the younger generation. 8 Ways to Avoid Probate by Mary Randolph, J.D., is one of the most useful self-help books my husband/accountant has encountered. It is being recommended by the accountant to other family members, so I read it. The terms, explanations, and advice are EASY to understand.
Not being the numbers person in our family, my first question, one I didn’t know I had, was “What exactly IS probate?” Mary Randolph got straight to it by providing an excellent short and understandable definition. Probate is essentially a courts-administrated accounting of a deceased person’s property, which is then (commonly about a year later) distributed to debtors and inheritors.
So why do people always talk of it so negatively? Again, the factors to consider were neatly laid out. Common sense is applied to each probate-avoidance method discussed. None of Ms. Randolph’s methods requires hiring an accountant, and all involve very little expense. More than one method to avoid probate is offered for each asset discussed.
Planning to avoid probate may apply to bank accounts, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, vehicles, or real estate. Each is considered in its own chapter. Additional chapters cover joint ownership, living trusts, small estates, and gifts. Resources, tips, and cautions are highlighted throughout the book. 8 Ways to Avoid Probate ends with a discussion of how people in different life situations applied probate avoidance strategies.
The cover of the book recommends going to their website, Nolo.com, for free legal updates. Sure enough, I found more information on a page dedicated to the book. One of the options was a link to “Probate Shortcuts in Your State.” In conjunction with the book, the web site is a valuable resource if you are working though a real situation.
You don’t need to be a lawyer or an accountant to understand the plain-English information in 8 Ways to Avoid Probate. This and other books in the NOLO series, including Quick & Legal Will Book and Plan Your Estate are accessible to you at any of your County Library locations in Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska, and West Salem.
From your home or at any of the public computers at our libraries, you may place books on hold to be picked up at the branch of your choice at www.lacrossecountylibrary.org. Choose the tutorials, or go right to the catalog tab to begin looking for these and other books at your La Crosse County Library.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
Probably every family wonders how to plan so as to reduce hassle and expense when property or belongings are left to the younger generation. 8 Ways to Avoid Probate by Mary Randolph, J.D., is one of the most useful self-help books my husband/accountant has encountered. It is being recommended by the accountant to other family members, so I read it. The terms, explanations, and advice are EASY to understand.
Not being the numbers person in our family, my first question, one I didn’t know I had, was “What exactly IS probate?” Mary Randolph got straight to it by providing an excellent short and understandable definition. Probate is essentially a courts-administrated accounting of a deceased person’s property, which is then (commonly about a year later) distributed to debtors and inheritors.
So why do people always talk of it so negatively? Again, the factors to consider were neatly laid out. Common sense is applied to each probate-avoidance method discussed. None of Ms. Randolph’s methods requires hiring an accountant, and all involve very little expense. More than one method to avoid probate is offered for each asset discussed.
Planning to avoid probate may apply to bank accounts, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, vehicles, or real estate. Each is considered in its own chapter. Additional chapters cover joint ownership, living trusts, small estates, and gifts. Resources, tips, and cautions are highlighted throughout the book. 8 Ways to Avoid Probate ends with a discussion of how people in different life situations applied probate avoidance strategies.
The cover of the book recommends going to their website, Nolo.com, for free legal updates. Sure enough, I found more information on a page dedicated to the book. One of the options was a link to “Probate Shortcuts in Your State.” In conjunction with the book, the web site is a valuable resource if you are working though a real situation.
You don’t need to be a lawyer or an accountant to understand the plain-English information in 8 Ways to Avoid Probate. This and other books in the NOLO series, including Quick & Legal Will Book and Plan Your Estate are accessible to you at any of your County Library locations in Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska, and West Salem.
From your home or at any of the public computers at our libraries, you may place books on hold to be picked up at the branch of your choice at www.lacrossecountylibrary.org. Choose the tutorials, or go right to the catalog tab to begin looking for these and other books at your La Crosse County Library.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
July 28, 2020
I was surprised to see 8 Ways To Avoid Probate in my collection when I picked-up my books from the library because I didn’t remember ordering it. I’m not sure why I ordered 8 Ways To Avoid Probate but I’m glad I did because I learned things I didn’t realize I need to know.
What I Learned
1.) Instead of a Will go outside of probate via a living trust or payable-on-death bank account because these are private (exception is records of real estate ownership which are public). Wills have to go through probate, is pricey and can take up to a year to probate.
2) There are disadvantages to living in Community Property states such as Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Alaska (only if spouses sign a community property agreement).
8 Ways To Avoid Probate is a great read for any and everyone who plans to leave money and/or property.
What I Learned
1.) Instead of a Will go outside of probate via a living trust or payable-on-death bank account because these are private (exception is records of real estate ownership which are public). Wills have to go through probate, is pricey and can take up to a year to probate.
2) There are disadvantages to living in Community Property states such as Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Alaska (only if spouses sign a community property agreement).
8 Ways To Avoid Probate is a great read for any and everyone who plans to leave money and/or property.
March 12, 2019
A well laid out book with a plethora of information to aid anyone within the US to avoid the arduous Probate system. Well worth the time to read, this came with the Will Maker program. A great program to your estate planning needs.
July 25, 2022
Straightforward explanations of a complex topic. If you want to understand more about how property passes upon death and how to save time, money, and headaches in the process, this book should help.
January 14, 2024
This book had good information about Living Trusts.
September 22, 2025
Good ideas for newbies but I did learn a few new concepts that will be useful
August 12, 2022
This is a book I borrowed from the local library and I think it's a great resource for anyone with assets and accounts they want to pass on to their loved ones. It includes rules on probate avoidance methods for the different states. Will purchase a copy to keep for future reference.
March 27, 2022
A must for anyone facing end of life decisions. Read it before its too late! Easy to understand and follow. Best to prepare.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews