An estate owner may also choose to designate a death beneficiary whereby certain assets become the property of the so-named person upon the estate owner's death. Many people do this with retirement accounts and payable-upon-death accounts, which are relatively simple to set up. In addition to these ideas, a person can give his or her property or assets away as a gift.
Using gifts to avoid probate litigation is typically recommended for assets of lesser value. Such gifts are often taxable as well, so it pays to research the Illinois estate tax laws before implementing such plans. An experienced estate planning attorney can provide legal assistance in all estate matters. Any man or woman wishing to help loved ones avoid an expensive and lengthy probate process can request a consultation to discuss available options.