12 Essential Tools to Avoid Probate in Estate Planning
Small, proactive steps make a big difference. But getting your estate plan in place is an act of radical self-care and love for your family that can help you feel calm, confident and in control. In the 2025 Wills and Estate Planning Study, procrastination overwhelmingly topped the list of reasons people haven’t created a will or trust. Most people delay estate planning because they assume it’s expensive or overwhelming. "Quite frankly, everyone should have a power of attorney once they turn 18," Sikorski says. It’s a full tool kit — a combination of documents that work together to protect your wishes and make things easier for your family.
Consider prepaying or prearranging funeral or memorial services—this can help relieve the burden on your family after you’ve passed. These designations can override your will, so it’s important to inheritance planning support check them regularly and keep them up to date. It can offer clarity and comfort to your family if you’re no longer able to process information or communicate your wishes. A living will may include your preferences relating to resuscitation, defibrillators, feeding tubes, and/or life support. You can have multiple POAs with the same person as agent or different people, depending on what you prefe
As Dustin explained, exemption planning isn’t just a legal technicality, it’s the first line of defense. This advertising service may result in the introduction to or acquisition of clients. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decision
Like the durable power of attorney, health care directives inheritance planning support don't directly avoid probate but prevent costly guardianship proceedings if you become incapacitated. The document must be properly executed, witnessed, and in some cases notarized.