Yes, probate is a public process. This means records can be accessed to show the estate’s value and how it was divided. During your lifetime, you can arrange things, so your estate remains private. This is a primary reason many choose to consult with a Pennsylvania probate lawyer regarding ensuring a more private process. One of the best ways to avoid passing the entire estate through probate is by considering a living trust. Assets can be transferred into a living trust while you are still living. Keep in mind that you will still have the ability to control these assets. Once you pass away, the living trust will not have to pass through probate and pass directly to the beneficiary.