Answers
The questions families ask us most, answered directly and in plain English — with the detail underneath if you want it.
How much does probate cost?
Probate commonly costs a family between $8,000 and $25,000 and takes several months to more than a year. The bill is driven by attorney fees, court filing fees, executor compensation, appraisals, and bond premiums — and in most states it scales with the gross value of the estate, not what the family actually inherits.
Read the answerLiving trust vs. will: which do I actually need?
A will generally directs assets through probate, while assets properly transferred to a revocable living trust may pass outside probate. Many plans use both documents for different purposes, but an attorney should determine what is appropriate for a particular family.
Read the answerHow do you fund a living trust?
Funding a living trust generally means connecting appropriate assets to it through deeds, account titling, assignments, or beneficiary designations. The correct treatment varies by asset and may require assistance from financial, tax, title, or legal professionals.
Read the answerWhat happens if you die without a will?
If you die without a will, you die intestate: your state's inheritance formula decides who receives your property, a probate judge appoints someone to administer your estate, and if you have minor children the court chooses their guardian. Your actual wishes carry no legal weight, and your family absorbs the cost and delay of sorting it out.
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