Probate should not be feared. It can be extremely beneficial!  Especially if Long-Term Care is needed, a married couple should incorporate Medicaid Asset Preservation Strategies that are only available through probate.  A Revocable Living Trust may sometimes avoid the probate process, but provides no asset protection for the surviving spouse who needs Long-Term Care benefits.  Under Washington’s current Medicaid rules, a probate is required to protect assets for the surviving spouse and thus often is recommended for its benefit to the surviving spouse.