Probate Solutions
When Real Estate Is Involved

Distribution of Wealth in America
 “The 55-plus age group controls more than three-fourths of this
country's wealth and the 65-plus group has twice as much per
capital income as the average baby boomer.”
 “The current senior population possesses over $900 billion in
spending money”
 “Nearly a quarter of householders aged 65 to 69 have a net worth
of $250,000 or more.”
 

Aging of America
 Someone turns 50 years of age every six seconds
 The 85-plus age group is the fast-growing segment of the
population
 By 2025, the senior population number will be approximately 115
million
 

Living Trusts
Now, you might start thinking about living trusts, which are vehicles to help
people avoid going through probate. By forming a living trust, which is a legal
document, the estate is settled at an attorney’s office instead of in a probate
court.
But the fact of the matter is that only 5% of estates are held in living trusts
and many of those that are in a living trust are not managed properly.
Another common mistake a lot of people make is that they refinance a
property and, in doing so, the property is officially taken out of the trust. Then,
they forget to place the property back in the trust by filing the necessary paper
work. Happens all the time. As a result, the property settlement comes under
the jurisdiction of the probate court. Like I said before, only 5% of the
population has a living trust. That means that 95% of the population will have
to settle their estate by going through the probate court. The truth is, most
people just don’t prepare.


% of Living Trust and Probate Estate Settlements
5% of people have a Living Trust
95% of people do not have a Living Trust

Sources: The Center for Mature Consumer Studies and The Roper
Organization for Modern Maturity Magazine
We are NOT attorneys and do not offer legal advice.