How does a living trust help with probate?

A living trust greatly aids in avoiding the probate process, which is a legal procedure required for settling a deceased person’s estate. When assets are placed in a living trust, they are technically owned by the trust rather than the individual. As a result, when the grantor passes away, the assets are passed directly to the beneficiaries named in the trust, bypassing the often lengthy and public probate process. This not only saves time but also helps maintain the privacy of the deceased’s affairs.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary role of a living trust concerning probate. Joint ownership of property might simplify some aspects of transfer, but it doesn't eliminate probate entirely. Similarly, while a living trust has the potential to simplify certain tax matters, especially concerning estate taxes, that is not its primary purpose. Furthermore, a power of attorney is a separate legal document that grants authority to another person to make decisions on someone else's behalf and does not inherently relate to the function of a living trust in avoiding probate.