Non-probate assets are assets that are passed onto beneficiaries other than through a will. Examples include IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions, certain bank and brokerage accounts, and life insurance policies.

Non-probate assets can make up a significant portion of your total property.

In the estate planning context, beneficiaries are the people and organizations that receive property when its owner passes away.

For non-probate assets, beneficiaries generally must be named using a particular form that is specific to each asset.

The distribution of your non-probate assets is not controlled by your will. To ensure that those assets go to the people and organizations you love, you must be sure to properly name your beneficiaries, and update them over time.

Most Americans have not properly designated beneficiaries for one or more of their non-probate assets. If neglected, the consequences can be both serious and expensive.

The average middle-aged adult has over 5 major non-probate assets. Because these assets are often held across different institutions, it can be difficult to keep track of everything.

FreeWill helps you organize all your non-probate assets in one place, so you can plan your beneficiary designations easily. We also provide easy-to-follow instructions on how to update your institutions.