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Home→Articles→Articles for Planning Ahead

Articles for Planning Ahead

Articles for the person putting a plan in place: what a will and a revocable trust each do, how powers of attorney work, how beneficiary designations pass property, and what each choice costs.

AllPlanning aheadSettling an estate
All topics353Probate and estate administration90Estate, inheritance, and gift taxes109Trusts102Wills15Powers of attorney and incapacity11Beneficiaries and inheritance17Medicaid and long-term care2Digital assets5
All statesAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
ArticlesNews

271 articles

Inheritance Tax in New York: Why It Doesn’t Exist

Inheritance Tax in New York: Why It Doesn’t Exist

Understand why New York imposes no inheritance tax and what it means for estate planning within the state.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 1, 2025
How a Trust for Prince Could Have Helped

How a Trust for Prince Could Have Helped

A trust for Prince could have kept decisions in trusted hands, provided a roadmap for a unique music business, and minimized courtroom battles.
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 1, 2025
New York Estate Tax and How the “Cliff” Works

New York Estate Tax and How the “Cliff” Works

Learn about New York’s estate tax, why it exists, and how to manage the “cliff” effect for better estate planning.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 1, 2025
Choosing Trustees Without Starting a Family Group Chat War

Choosing Trustees Without Starting a Family Group Chat War

Choosing trustees is a crucial estate planning step. Learn how to navigate this decision without causing family conflict.
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 30, 2025
A Comparison of Revocable Trusts in DC Versus Nevada

A Comparison of Revocable Trusts in DC Versus Nevada

Explore the key differences in revocable trusts in DC versus Nevada, focusing on what’s similar and what’s different between the two jurisdictions.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 30, 2025
Exploring the Absence of Inheritance Tax in the District of Columbia

Exploring the Absence of Inheritance Tax in the District of Columbia

Discover why there’s no inheritance tax in D.C. and explore what this means for residents or property owners doing estate planning.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 30, 2025
A Rundown of the District of Columbia Estate Tax

A Rundown of the District of Columbia Estate Tax

Navigate the District of Columbia estate tax landscape by understanding why it’s there, who has to pay it and its thresholds.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 30, 2025
Revocable Trusts in Connecticut Versus Nevada

Revocable Trusts in Connecticut Versus Nevada

Learn the differences between establishing a revocable trust in Connecticut versus Nevada, focusing on asset protection, tax implications, and privacy.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 29, 2025
Inheritance Tax in Connecticut: The Straight Facts

Inheritance Tax in Connecticut: The Straight Facts

Learn about inheritance tax in Connecticut, why the state doesn’t have one, and why the state still has an estate tax.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 29, 2025
Connecticut Estate Tax: What To Know

Connecticut Estate Tax: What To Know

Learn about Connecticut estate tax, including why the state still has an estate tax when so many don’t and to whom it applies.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 29, 2025
Revocable Trusts in Arizona Versus Nevada

Revocable Trusts in Arizona Versus Nevada

Discover the differences between revocable trusts in Arizona versus Nevada, including the all-important tax questions.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 26, 2025
Why There’s No Estate Tax in Arizona

Why There’s No Estate Tax in Arizona

Discover the essentials of estate tax in Arizona and learn strategies for federal estate tax to optimize your estate planning in the state.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 26, 2025
Why There’s No Inheritance Tax in Arizona

Why There’s No Inheritance Tax in Arizona

Learn about why there’s no inheritance tax in Arizona so you can optimize your estate planning and understand potential federal obligations.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 26, 2025
Revocable Trusts in California Versus Nevada

Revocable Trusts in California Versus Nevada

Revocable trusts in California and Nevada share the same core purpose and mechanics, with key differences in probate costs, community property rules, and tax…
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 25, 2025
Inheritance Tax in California: What It Is (And Isn’t)

Inheritance Tax in California: What It Is (And Isn’t)

California has no inheritance tax since 1982. Learn the history, common misconceptions, and what still matters when inheriting assets.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 25, 2025
Estate Tax in California: A Clear, Current Overview

Estate Tax in California: A Clear, Current Overview

California has no state estate or inheritance tax. Only federal estate tax applies to estates exceeding $13.99 million in 2025.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 25, 2025
Revocable Trusts in Alaska Versus Nevada: What Differs?

Revocable Trusts in Alaska Versus Nevada: What Differs?

A comparative look at Alaska and Nevada’s trust laws reveals key differences in asset protection, flexibility, and privacy advantages.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 24, 2025
Inheritance Tax in Alaska: A Clear, Modern Overview

Inheritance Tax in Alaska: A Clear, Modern Overview

There is no inheritance tax in Alaska, but understanding federal tax laws is crucial for strategic estate planning to minimize liabilities.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 24, 2025
Inheritance Tax in South Carolina: A Thirty-Year Perspective

Inheritance Tax in South Carolina: A Thirty-Year Perspective

Explore the evolution of inheritance tax in South Carolina over the last 30 years, its impact on estate planning, and current tax implications.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 11, 2025
Alaska and the Estate Tax: What You Need to Know

Alaska and the Estate Tax: What You Need to Know

An overview of the estate tax situation in Alaska, including the absence of a state estate tax and the importance of estate planning.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 9, 2025
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