10 Ways to Avoid Probate

Avoid probate with confidence by mastering the legal and financial mechanics that control estate transfers. This course shows you how asset titling, beneficiary designations, and ownership structures determine whether an estate passes smoothly or becomes subject to court supervision. You will examine ten proven probate-avoidance strategies, identify where each method succeeds or fails, and prevent costly coordination errors. Build the analytical skills needed to assess risk, align documents, and integrate techniques into a streamlined, legally sound estate plan that protects assets and preserves family wealth.
Format

PDF Course

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Duration

3 Hours

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Course Information

Author: Steven Bragg
Course number: PD0009

Learning Objectives
  • Recognize the tools available for avoiding ancillary probate for real estate holdings.
  • Recall how a pour-over will can be used to avoid probate.
  • Recognize the risks associated with adding another party as a joint owner to property.
  • Specify how beneficiary designations can override a will.
  • Recall the probate avoidance issues that can cause equalization issues among heirs.
  • Recognize the limitations of payable-on-death accounts.
  • Recall the nature of beneficiary rights under the Uniform Transfer on Death Securities Registration Act.
  • Recognize the factors that can invalidate a transfer-on-death deed.
  • Specify the probate avoidance methods that can trigger gift tax reporting.
  • Recall how probate avoidance can increase personal accountability under certain circumstances.
  • Recognize the weaknesses of probate avoidance techniques in regard to asset distributions.
  • Recall how probate avoidance differs from tax avoidance.
  • Recognize what can undermine a revocable living trust’s effectiveness.
  • Specify when a direct transfer-on-death designation may be inappropriate.

Level: Overview
Instructional Method: QAS Self-Study
NASBA Category: Specialized Knowledge
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Latest Review Date: February 2026
Program Registration Requirements: Click on the Enroll button to pay for and access the course. You will then be able to download the course as a PDF file, then take an on-line examination, and then download a certificate of completion if you pass the examination.
Program Refund Policy: For more information regarding administrative policies concerning complaints, refunds, and other matters, see our policies page.

AccountingTools, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
The NASBA sponsor identification number for Accountingtools, Inc. is 115881.

AccountingTools is an IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider. We are compliant with the requirements for continuing education providers (as described in sections 10.6 and 10.9 of the Department of Treasury’s Circular No. 230 and in other IRS guidance, forms, and instructions). Our IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider number is 72821.