What is a “Will Substitute” and Could it Ruin Everything?

Estate Planning

A “Will Substitute” is an instrument that transfers ownership of property from the owner to the beneficiary upon the owner’s death while avoiding probate. Examples of will substitutes include the “Payable on Death” (“POD”) designation of a bank account or the beneficiary designation of a life insurance policy. PODs and insurance contracts are powerful agreements! Money in your account or cash…