Additionally, if you don’t list a beneficiary on any of these accounts, they have to go through probate court to gain access. The fewer hurdles and headaches that your loved ones have to go through the better. Having dealt with this early this past year with a family member, having the list of “chores” to do upon passing helps and reduces the headaches. Especially if those funds are necessary to pay for the sudden bills that a funeral and so on can bring up.