Claiming Benefits and Property Without Probate
After a death, it’s not necessary to get a probate court’s approval in order to transfer many valuable assets to the people who inherit them. All kinds of property, including real estate, cars, bank accounts, and stocks may not need to go through probate. It all depends on how the deceased person set things up.
Here are some articles that will help you sort through the assets in the estate you’re handling, and determine which ones require probate and which ones don’t.
Life Insurance and Other Benefits
Life Insurance and Other Benefits
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Claiming Pensions, Veterans, and Other Benefits: Information for Executors and Beneficiaries
How surviving family members can get all available benefits after a loved one dies.
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How Beneficiaries Can Claim Life Insurance and Social Security Benefits
Beneficiaries need to know how to collect life insurance and Social Security payments that belonged to the deceased; the executor of the estate doesn't usually handle this task.
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Finding Unclaimed Life Insurance Policy Proceeds
Learn ten ways to search for unclaimed life insurance benefits.
Special Affidavit Procedures
Special Affidavit Procedures
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Claiming Property With Small Estate Affidavits
If an estate is small enough, under state law, then inheritors won't have to go to probate court at all.
Payable-on-Death or Survivorship Property
Payable-on-Death or Survivorship Property
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How Beneficiaries Can Claim Payable-on-Death Assets
Here's how inheritors can record ownership of POD assets left to them.
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How Joint Owners Can Transfer Survivorship Property After Death
How to document the transfer of property held in joint tenancy and other kinds of survivorship property.
More Legal Topics
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