How to Avoid Probate by State
Plain-English guides to the specific probate-avoidance tools available in 23 US states. Each guide covers beneficiary designations, joint ownership, TOD/POD designations, the state's small-estate procedure, and when a living trust earns its cost.
- California CA View →
- Texas TX View →
- Florida FL View →
- New York NY View →
- Pennsylvania PA View →
- Illinois IL View →
- Ohio OH View →
- Georgia GA View →
- North Carolina NC View →
- Michigan MI View →
- Connecticut CT View →
- Arkansas AR View →
- Indiana IN View →
- Oklahoma OK View →
- Oregon OR View →
- New Jersey NJ View →
- Washington WA View →
- Arizona AZ View →
- Colorado CO View →
- Massachusetts MA View →
- Maryland MD View →
- Minnesota MN View →
- Missouri MO View →
- Alabama AL View →
- Alaska AK View →
- Delaware DE View →
- Hawaii HI View →
- Idaho ID View →
- Iowa IA View →
- Kansas KS View →
- Kentucky KY View →
- Louisiana LA View →
- Maine ME View →
- Mississippi MS View →
- Montana MT View →
- Nebraska NE View →
- Nevada NV View →
- New Hampshire NH View →
- New Mexico NM View →
- North Dakota ND View →
- Rhode Island RI View →
- South Carolina SC View →
- South Dakota SD View →
- Tennessee TN View →
- Utah UT View →
- Vermont VT View →
- Virginia VA View →
- West Virginia WV View →
- Wisconsin WI View →
- Wyoming WY View →
The good news: in every US state, most middle-class families can keep the majority of their estate out of probate with a handful of low-cost moves. The specific tools vary state to state — some states allow transfer-on-death deeds for real estate, others don't. Pick your state above for the specifics.
Want to understand probate first?
If you’re new to probate, start with our main explainers:
- What Is Probate and How Does It Work?
- How to Avoid Probate — the general-purpose national guide
- Probate Cost by State (companion guide showing what you’re avoiding)
- How Long Does Probate Take by State (companion guide)
Educational information only — not legal advice. Always confirm current statutes and figures with a licensed attorney in your state.