Property

How do I avoid probate when transferring property to my children?

Several methods can help property bypass probate, including joint ownership with rights of survivorship, transfer-on-death deeds (where available), and placing property in a revocable living trust. Joint ownership automatically transfers property to surviving owners, while a trust allows you to maintain control during your lifetime and specify exactly how property transfers after death. Transfer-on-death deeds let you name beneficiaries who receive the property directly, though not all states recognize these deeds.