It is sometimes possible to avoid the probate process by owning joint property, having assets that automatically pass on to a designated beneficiary, and transferring all other assets and properties into a trust to be distributed to your heirs upon your death. The probate process is not generally designed to be a drawn-out process, and there is not always a real need or reason to avoid it. Additionally, it is not always realistic to structure assets and properties in a manner that will completely avoid probate. The truly important thing to focus on when estate planning is to ensure that the probate process will not be complicated by unnecessary objections and challenges to your will. A skilled probate lawyer can aid you in completing a thorough estate plan that will either streamline or eliminate the probate process and can also help you through the probate process when it is needed.