If you own property in more than one state or have family spread out across the country, it’s worth paying close attention to how that affects your estate plan. This doesn’t mean starting from scratch, but it does mean reviewing a few key areas to avoid problems down the line.
Let’s say you live in Georgia and also own a second home in Florida. If that Florida property stays in your name when you pass, it won’t just go through probate in Georgia—it’ll likely go through probate in Florida, too. That’s called ancillary probate, and while it’s a common situation, it’s not ideal. It adds time, legal fees, and extra paperwork for your family.
One of the easiest ways to prevent this is by putting out-of-state real estate into a revocable living trust. That way, the property passes through the trust and avoids the probate process entirely. It’s a small change that can make things much easier for the people handling your estate.
It’s also a good idea to take a look at who you’ve named as your executor or power of attorney. If that person lives out of state, some states (not Georgia, but others) require them to post a bond or work with a local attorney. That doesn’t mean you need to change your choice, but it’s something to be aware of so there are no surprises later.
Documents are another thing to keep in mind. A power of attorney or health care directive created in Georgia might be legally valid elsewhere, but that doesn’t guarantee it’ll be accepted without hesitation. Hospitals and financial institutions can be particular about unfamiliar forms. If you spend a significant amount of time in another state—especially if you receive care there—it might be smart to have a local version prepared.
Also check the small stuff: are your beneficiary designations up to date? Do they reflect your current state of residence? Did you open that bank account back in a different state with a different address? These things seem minor, but they can cause delays if the information doesn’t match up.
None of this is hard to fix, and you don’t have to do it all at once. But reviewing your plan with multi-state issues in mind can save your family from extra steps and unnecessary stress later on.
If your life or your family stretches across state lines, your plan should take that into account. It’s just about making sure everything still works the way you want it to—no matter where the pieces are.
