When Edmund died, which property did NOT have to go through the probate process?

The nuance of property ownership and the probate process is essential in this context. In many cases, properties held in a trust or owned with a particular structure (such as joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety) may not require probate upon the owner's death.

In this scenario, the strip mall not going through probate suggests that it might have been structured in such a way, like being held in a living trust. When properties are owned this way, they can pass directly to the beneficiaries without the need for the lengthy and often complicated probate process. This stands in contrast to typical properties that may necessarily enter probate, such as those solely owned by the deceased without any estate planning mechanisms in place.

Understanding this distinction is critical, as it highlights the importance of estate planning, especially in regard to how various assets are titled and whether they are pre-arranged to avoid probate. It allows for a smoother transfer of ownership and can save heirs significant time and legal fees.