Which of my assets skip probate automatically without any special planning?

Several types of assets pass directly to a named person and bypass probate entirely. Retirement accounts (401(k)s, IRAs) and life insurance pay out to their named beneficiaries. Bank and brokerage accounts with payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designations transfer to the named recipient. Property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship passes to the surviving owner. Assets titled in a living trust also avoid probate.

The catch: these designations override your will, so a stale beneficiary form can send money to an ex-spouse regardless of what your will says. Review every beneficiary and TOD/POD designation after major life events. What's left in your sole name with no beneficiary is what typically goes through probate.