What is probate, and how can I avoid it?

Probate is a legal process that is used in Washington to ensure that a person’s estate is handled properly after they pass away. During probate, the court will look at a deceased person’s estate, including any assets they owned like property or money, and then decide who should get the assets. To avoid probate in Washington, you can create an estate plan. This can include writing a will, setting up trusts, and giving away some assets before you pass away. A will is a legal document that lists how you want your assets to be divided when you die. It names the people who should receive your assets and who is in charge of dividing them up. Another way to avoid probate is by setting up trusts. A trust is a legal agreement that puts certain assets under the control of a trusted person. The trust will specify who should receive the assets when you pass away, and it can prevent your assets from having to go through probate. Finally, you can give away some of your assets before you pass away. For example, you can give property or money to your loved ones while you’re still alive. This way, they won’t have to go through probate when you pass away. Creating an estate plan and setting up trusts can help you avoid the probate process and make sure that your assets are handled the way you want them to be when you die. It’s important to work with an experienced estate attorney who can help ensure that everything is done properly and in compliance with Washington law.

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What is probate, and how can I avoid it?

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