Probate court is a hassle and expensive in virtually every state of which I am aware. Obviously, most states have summary procedures (typically for small estates) which only require filing an affidavit while some others also have procedures to bypass probate entirely (the latter which normally does not apply to real property).
Probate is also expensive for those who cannot use a state's small estate procedure (or bypass procedure) and/or who need to employ an attorney. Regardless, there are typically, at least, filing fees involved in any case.
The deed subject to a life estate is problematic in the sense that some sort of appraisal of the fair market value at the time of transfer must be done and a gift tax return will most likely have to be filed.
Again, there are other options available that would avoid both of the aforementioned scenarios.
