Do all of the deceased’s assets pass through probate?

Not all of a decedent’s property in Pennsylvania will pass through probate. When a person dies in Pennsylvania, all of their property is divided into two categories. Only assets that the deceased owned in their name alone or in some circumstances jointly with someone else but without rights of survivorship (also known as Tenants in Common) will pass through probate. These assets are commonly called “probate assets.” Other assets such as those held jointly with rights of survivorship and assets with designated beneficiaries will pass directly to another person by operation of law. These assets are commonly called “non-probate assets.”