7Want to save your family money and hassle? Read this book!

Probate court proceedings after a death can drag out and cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorney and court fees--money that would otherwise have gone directly to your loved ones.

This topselling guide shows you the most effective ways to skip the probate process:

• name payable-on-death beneficiaries for financial accounts
  
• own property jointly
  
• leave real estate with transfer-on-death deeds
  
• use a living trust
  
• name the right beneficiaries for IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement plans, and
  
• use probate shortcuts for small estates.
  

Completely updated, this edition includes the latest state laws on probate avoidance methods, and covers all the estate-related impacts of the recent changes to federal rules on retirement distributions.