In the described estate, which amount passes through probate?

In the described estate, which amount passes through probate?

• A. 0.
• B. $400,000.
• C. $500,000.
• D. $700,000.

Answer: (B)

In probate practice, the portion that actually goes through probate is the part of the estate that is owned solely by the decedent and not set up to pass outside probate via joint ownership, beneficiary designations, or a trust. Assets with survivorship or named beneficiaries bypass probate entirely, while assets held in a living trust or titled jointly with another person typically don’t go through the probate process. Here, the amount that ends up in the probate estate is $400,000, meaning that this portion consists of assets that were not titled to survive automatically or designated to pass directly to someone else. The other assets are structured to bypass probate, so they don’t go through the probate process.

In probate practice, the portion that actually goes through probate is the part of the estate that is owned solely by the decedent and not set up to pass outside probate via joint ownership, beneficiary designations, or a trust. Assets with survivorship or named beneficiaries bypass probate entirely, while assets held in a living trust or titled jointly with another person typically don’t go through the probate process.

Here, the amount that ends up in the probate estate is $400,000, meaning that this portion consists of assets that were not titled to survive automatically or designated to pass directly to someone else. The other assets are structured to bypass probate, so they don’t go through the probate process.