As we approach the end of the first month, it's a good time to start planning for probate. This process can feel overwhelming with all of the legal language and paperwork, especially so while you're in the midst of grief. To make matters even more complex, probate requirements vary from state to state, depending on the state where your loved one last resided.

Courtney's estate will have to go through some form of probate to ensure it's settled correctly. Generally speaking, the estate's probate process will depend on two factors: whether the assets' total value falls above or below the state's specified threshold, and whether the assets are held in a form that bypasses probate.