Saving money, time, and worry BY AVOIDING PROBATE COURT

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If you've had to go through the probate process, you don't have to be told what a headache it can be.

For those who have not been through the process, an overview:

When a person passes away, their "estate", or everything they own, has to be passed to their heirs. This process is usually overseen by a Probate Judge who may have thousands of such cases on their desk, especially in a big metropolitan area like Atlanta.

What's more, the process is usually very slow and methodical, as well as public. It displays your property and an announces your passing, allowing those people in your family who think they should have a piece to raise their hand and ask for it, even if you had no intention of giving them anything.

This is a problem for anyone, regardless of the size of your estate. 

For those who have substantial wealth, their estates are more vulnerable to fighting, draining the wealth available over decisions that could have been made sooner.

For those who have little to pass, it's essential that what little they have passes as quickly and efficiently as possible, free from exposure and taxation, so that their heirs can use the money to stay on their feet.

Even without family fighting over property, the process can take over a year and cost thousands of dollars in fees. 

All of this can be avoided by creating a simple and strategic estate plan.