Before starting to understand estate planning, you should understand how various
property passes under the law at death. The following table shows forms of ownership
and how the property passes at death.
| How the Property Is Owned |
Person Who Receives or How the Person Is Determined |
| Tenancy by the entireties |
Surviving spouse |
| Real property as titled joint tenancy with right of survivorship |
Surviving tenant[s] |
| Tenancy in common |
Probate |
| Life insurance (SGLI and SBP), TSP, IRAs, and retirement plans with a
named beneficiary |
Beneficiary |
| Payable at Death (POD) and Transfer at Death (TOD) accounts, Totten trusts |
Beneficiary |
| Convenience bank accounts (if recognized in your state) |
Probate |
| Joint accounts |
Surviving owner |
| Property owned solely by decedent |
Probate |
| Property transferred to a trust |
Terms of trust agreement |
