The word “probate” often evokes dread in families navigating the loss of a loved one. Lengthy, expensive, and emotionally draining, probate is a legal process that settles the estate of someone who has passed away. While it’s designed to ensure debts are paid and assets are distributed in the correct way, it can quickly become a nightmare if proper planning isn’t in place.
Fortunately, there’s a powerful solution to bypass many of probate’s challenges: trusts. By establishing a trust, you can protect your family from unnecessary delays, legal costs, and the public scrutiny that often accompanies probate. Here’s how trusts work and why they’re an essential tool for avoiding probate headaches.