Living Trust

Does a Will help you avoid probate? No. If you die leaving more than $150,000 in directly owned assets, your estate needs to go through a California court-managed process called “probate."
Why do most Californians try to avoid probate? 
Because it is expensive (up to 4% of your estate); it is slow (usually takes 1-2 years to complete); it is public. 
Do you want to avoid probate?
You need a trust.