There are several ways to avoid probate in California. Here are some common methods:

1. Revocable Living Trust: Creating a revocable living trust is a popular way to bypass probate. In this method, you transfer ownership of your assets to a trust while retaining control over them during your lifetime. Upon your death, the assets held in the trust are distributed to the designated beneficiaries without the need for probate.

2. Joint Ownership with Right of Survivorship: Holding assets jointly with another person, such as a spouse or family member, with the right of survivorship can help avoid probate. When one owner dies, the surviving owner automatically becomes the sole owner of the asset.

3. Beneficiary Designations: Naming beneficiaries for assets like retirement accounts (e.g., IRAs, 401(k)s), life insurance policies, and payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts can help bypass probate. Upon your death, these assets are directly transferred to the designated beneficiaries without probate involvement.

4. Small Estate Affidavit: If the total value of the estate is below a certain threshold (currently $166,250 for personal property and $55,425 for real property in California), you may be able to use a small estate affidavit. This procedure allows for the simplified transfer of assets without a formal probate proceeding.

5. Spousal Property Petition: When a married person passes away, their surviving spouse can use a spousal property petition to transfer community property assets without probate. This method is applicable when the assets were owned jointly or the deceased spouse’s share of community property is passing to the surviving spouse.

6. Gifting: Transferring assets to beneficiaries during your lifetime through gifting can help avoid probate. However, be aware of potential gift tax implications and consult with a tax professional or estate planning attorney before proceeding with significant gifts.

It’s important to note that the suitability of these methods may vary depending on individual circumstances and the nature of your assets. Consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney is highly recommended to understand the best strategies for your specific situation and to ensure that your estate plan aligns with California laws and regulations.