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The Formula Wealth Report

New Year, Same Probate Headaches (Unless You Fix This)

Published 3 months ago • 1 min read

Smart Money, Made Simple

Navigating Your Financial Future Doesn't Have to be a Headache

Happy New Year! While everyone else is vowing to eat more kale and actually use their gym membership, here’s a resolution that really matters: keeping your family out of probate.
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Probate is basically the DMV of estates—slow, expensive, and public. And nobody wants their loved ones waiting in that line when things could’ve been handled with a little planning.
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The tools that actually work:

  • TOD (Transfer on Death) for investment accounts
  • POD (Payable on Death) for bank accounts
  • Beneficiary designations on IRAs, 401(k)s, annuities
  • Living trusts for real estate or more complex estates
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Here’s the truth: if assets are only in someone’s name and no beneficiaries are listed, probate is almost guaranteed. That means delays, legal fees, and a file that becomes public record—yes, even your nosy neighbor Gladys can look it up!
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But the fix? Sometimes it’s as simple as checking a box on a Fidelity account or retitling a home into a revocable trust. Quick, clean, and private.

Takeaway: Your parents don’t need a trust fund or a high-powered lawyer to avoid probate. They just need a little prep now to save your family a big headache later.

Make “fix my estate plan” the one resolution you actually keep—book your free 20-minute Life Audit consultation today. I'd love to help set you up for success!
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Best,

Chad Holmes, CFP®, CPA, CPWA®

Founder | Financial Planner | Author

​www.formulawealth.com​

(901) 262-1281 Cell

P.S. Resolutions come and go, but probate sticks around forever. Let’s fix that.

​Check Out The Inheritance Playbook​

Copyright (C) 2025, Formula Wealth. All rights reserved.​
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The Formula Wealth Report

Insights for Wealth Transfer Planning

Short, simple action steps to help families like yours avoid probate, save on taxes, and be prepared when “the time” comes. It’s written with heart, a little humor, and zero fluff. If you want practical tips on being a good steward of your parents’ legacy (and your own), sign up here! MUST CONFIRM SUBSCRIPTION - CHECK SPAM FOLDER AFTER SUBSCRIBING FOR THE LINK!

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