I believe this is true in many states. My dad died in Louisiana and had a will and trust. With the trust, my mom was named executor and was able to pay off his bills, but with the will even though it named my sister and me as the only beneficiaries and no one contested that, it took about a year for it to go through probate. Financial advisors will recommend people have both. As far as life insurance goes, I don't believe my mom received the check for that until about the same time the will was finished with probate. Natalie Fontane www.scrivenersretreat.com [Posted in FML 7111]