Which of the following is NOT a method for avoiding probate?

Standard wills do not serve as a method for avoiding probate. Instead, a will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets and estate should be distributed upon their death. When a person dies with a will, the estate typically goes through the probate process, which is the court-supervised process of validating the will and distributing the assets according to its directives. This process can be time-consuming and may involve costs, such as court fees and legal expenses.

In contrast, other choices like joint ownership accounts, trusts, and life insurance policies are designed specifically to bypass probate. Joint ownership accounts allow for direct transfer of assets to the surviving owner without going through probate. Similarly, assets held in a trust can be distributed according to the terms of the trust, thereby avoiding the probate process altogether. Life insurance policies also avoid probate since the death benefit is paid directly to the named beneficiaries, bypassing the need for probate court involvement.

In summary, while a standard will directs asset distribution and necessitates probate, the other options provide mechanisms to transfer assets outside of this legal process.