The easiest way to speed up the probate process and reduce both time and potential legal challenges is through property rules governing the asset itself.  Often property can be written so that it will pass automatically to a chosen beneficiary once the person passes away, and this can be controlled through a bank account or life insurance, which would allow the inheritance to be distributed instantly upon providing proof of death to the entity controlling the asset. Jointly Held Property This means that the joint owner’s interest will pass to the other joint owner when they pass away, rather than it being passed on to another heir.