One exception is property held in joint tenancy.  A jointly owned asset will transfer to the surviving spouse or whomever the property was jointly owned with.  Also, assets with named beneficiaries such as insurance policies, IRAs and annuities will also avoid probate as long as the beneficiary is alive.  Furthermore, you can keep your assets from going through probate by transferring your assets into a trust.  This will help eliminate the need for your assets to go through probate.