Some simple planning can spare families the cost and delay of probate court proceedings after a loved one's death. Probate can drag on for years, and can easily cost  thousands of dollars -- money that would otherwise have gone to survivors.

8 Ways to Avoid Probate offers simple and effective methods for skipping the probate process so that property goes directly to the intended beneficiaries. In plain English, it explains:

• setting up payable-on-death accounts
• naming beneficiaries, including children, institutions, and multiple beneficiaries
• naming beneficiaries for retirement accounts, vehicles, real estate, and stocks and bonds
• streamlined probate procedures for small estates
• holding property in joint ownership, and alternatives to joint ownership
• using a living trust to avoid probate
• making gifts of property and money

This edition provides updates to estate and gift tax laws, updated 50-state tables on simplified probate, and additional information on how to bequeath real estate without probate -- nearly 20 states now offer a special deed for just this purpose.