An estate is the real and/or personal property a person possesses at death. Estate planning is the process of planning a client’s intended distribution of his estate while minimizing any estate and/or gift taxes on his estate property. This process also includes analyzing whether it is in the client’s best interests to avoid probate or not. Probate is the process of administering an estate through the court system. Estate planning may involve preparing a Will, Trust, Land Trust, Powers of Attorney or other documents. It is also important to consult with an accountant/tax advisor as well as an attorney.