10 Ways to Avoid Probate

This course provides a clear, practical roadmap for avoiding probate by explaining how asset ownership, beneficiary designations, and legal structures determine whether court involvement is required at death. It walks through ten proven probate-avoidance strategies, highlighting when each method works, where it can fail, and how poor coordination can create unintended legal and financial risk. The course equips learners to evaluate probate-avoidance techniques confidently and integrate them into a coherent, efficient estate planning strategy.
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.