Article: Joint tenancy can alleviate headaches for any survivors

Q: A few weeks ago, when you were discussing probate, you mentioned that a small estate of under $25,000 can be settled without any probate court proceedings whatever, but that the estate had to be entirely personal property, that is, it could not include any interest in real estate.

My wife and I don't have much, except our home, and we really don't even have much equity in that. Does this mean that when the first of us dies, the survivor won't be able to settle the estate, which will be less than $25,000, without taking it to the probate court? How can this be avoided.

A: If you and your wife hold title to the house as joint tenants, the house would immediately pass to the ...

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