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There's quite a bit written and discussed about whether people should take steps to avoid probate. On extreme you have the folks who say avoid probate at all cost because probate can be a significant legal hassle and expense, while others say that a Will is sufficient because when your heirs go through probate it will not be that bad.

The following are seven reasons why people commonly set up trusts to keep their survivors from going through the court supervised judicial Succession (also called "probate") proceeding, and three reasons why it may not be necessary to set up a trust to avoid probate.

Reasons often express why people should set up a living trust to avoid probate:

(1) Avoid multiple probates in multiple states when you own property in more than one state at your death;
(2) For incapacity planning, a power of attorney is only as effective as the third party is willing to honor it. Many financial institutions and title companies won't honor a power of attorney if it is old/doesn't have provisions they like, etc. If you have a trust and name a successor trustee, it is unlikely you will run into these "We won't honor your power of attorney" issues.;
(3) Reduce or Eliminate Post Death Settlement Costs. Probate costs the estate money, often in the form of attorney cost, executor fees, and court cost. Trust administration can often be done without any estate settlement cost.
(4) Potential for Conflict. Probate requires all parties to participate and be represented by attorneys. In addition, and in general, trust settlement is faster than probate. Generally speaking, the faster the settlement can take place, the less likely conflict will arise.
(5) Some Like to Plan Ahead. Some parents, for example, want to do as much as they can to make settlement matters simpler for their spouse and children. Setting up a living trust and titling assets in the trust is one way for parents to prearrange their estate, so that an immediate distribution is all that remains after death.
(6) Business Ownership. Some business owners like the idea that, immediately after their death, their Successor Trustee can transact business. In probate, there is delay.
(7) Just Make Things Easier. Some people want to do all they can while they are alive and well to make matters easier for their survivors.

Now, three reasons why you should not form a trust to avoid probate:

(1) The Small Succession Affidavit Procedure Will Apply. With an estate that does not exceed $125,000, and with your satisfaction of intestate law, your estate will not have to go through the formal and judicial courtsupervised Succession proceeding. Your estate can be handled through heirs signing Affidavits.

(2) There Won't Be Probate Anyway. If you own, for example, no real estate, and you just own an IRA (that has designated beneficiaries) and a bank account (which you've arrange to avoid probate at the bank), then you have no probate assets and there is no need to establish a trust.
(3) You Don't Care. Some people say they don't care that their heirs will go through probate. Some say, "I'll be dead."

You can get more in depth analysis on this subject by listening to my podcast titled, "Estate Planning with Paul Rabalais."

This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read on this site. Using this site or communicating with Rabalais Estate Planning, LLC, through this site does not form an attorney/client relationship.

Paul Rabalais
Estate Planning Attorney
www.RabalaisEstatePlanning.com
Phone: (225) 3292450