After seeing the problems that arise in a celebrity's family after they pass away, you might feel an urge to get your financial affairs in order before your own death. However, if you are not well versed in probate law, you might not know what to focus on as you start estate planning. Here are some ideas that can help you protect loved ones from any problems in probate court.

Remember Your Bills

It may surprise you to realize that after you die, your bills still need to be paid. Creditors who learn of your death can make some kind of claim on the money you leave behind, which could send your family right into probate court.

To avoid those kinds of problems, make every effort to pay down your debt. If you can't pay off all your creditors right now, ask an accountant to help you determine how you might be able to proceed going forward in order to pay some of your bills and still be able to avoid other things. You should also ensure that you leave some kind of list that details the creditors you owe so that your family is not shocked by any inquiries.

Make Plans For Every Asset

One of the best things you can do during estate planning is to be sure you include every single asset. Some people fail to mention bank accounts, forget to include their 401K or think that everyone knows they want their child to get their car or coin collection. If you don't mention a particular asset, that may result in probate court proceedings; people may disagree about who gets what.

To prevent that, ensure that you create a small list which contains everything you own so you can make the proper plans. Add to it over time as you remember more things, and have a probate law attorney help you feel confident that you haven't forgotten anything.

Keep Your Family In The Loop

Some people choose to go through estate planning without telling anyone anything. Usually, they want to avoid upsetting their relatives over the plans to divide up wealth and assets. However, this can lead to sour feelings and probate court proceedings that stretch out for years.

To protect everyone you love, it is smart to talk to everyone about what you plan to do. That way, they can air their grievances with you today. While this might not prevent probate proceedings entirely, you might be able to explain your reasoning to everyone so that they can be prepared and get closure now instead of seeking it in court later.

Using the ideas laid out here can offer some protection to your family after your death. Ask a local probate attorney to provide you with solid advice about the other things you need to do so that your loved ones are spared from probate problems. Attorneys like Donald B Linsky & Associate Pa may be able to help.