Do Annuities Avoid Probate? 
Let me begin by saying that I do not sell annuities -LRB- I do not have my series six license -RRB- and I am not a licensed attorney . However , prior to becoming an agent I went to law school and clerked in an probate/estate firm for two years . Annuities can pass outside probate so long as you name a beneficiary -LRB- just like life insurance -RRB- . Typically , a spouse is named as the primary beneficiary and children as a contingent beneficiary . Many people currently use a Revocable Living Trust to avoid probate , and the trust can also be named as a contingent beneficiary . If no beneficiary is named , however , your annuity will have to pass through probate . And , depending upon its value the inventory fees could be quite expensive . I hope this helps answer your question . 