What types of assets must be probated?
A. The need for a probate depends on what property the decedent owned and whether he owned it alone or with others. Property, such as real estate that is held in joint tenancy, jointly held bank accounts, payable-on-death accounts, life insurance or pension benefits designated to a specific beneficiary, do not need to go through probate. All assets that were in the decedent s name alone at the time of death must be probated.
