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ArticlesNewsLife Events
Revocable Living TrustCreate a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.Last Will and TestamentName your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.Pour-Over WillCatch anything outside your trust. Pairs with your revocable trust.Healthcare Power of AttorneyName someone to make medical decisions if you can't.Financial Power of AttorneyName someone to manage your finances if you can't.Transfer on Death DeedTransfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.Vehicle Transfer on DeathName a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.Living WillState in advance which life-sustaining treatments you want or refuse, in the document your state recognizes, with signing instructions from the statute.
EIN ApplicationGet the tax ID number (EIN) banks require to open an estate account or trust account after someone dies.Petition for Probate and LettersOpen probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.Notice to CreditorsNotify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.Renunciation of ExecutorDecline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.Affidavit of HeirshipPrepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.Small Estate AffidavitCollect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.Estate InventoryPrepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.Estate ClosingPrepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's closing instructions and the optional federal forms.Letter of InstructionPrepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.Digital Assets Recovery LetterPrepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
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I'm planning ahead
Estate Planning Cost CalculatorCompare costs across estate planning providers including online services and attorneys.Revocable Living Trust Cost CalculatorCompare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.Will Cost CalculatorCompare will costs across providers plus probate costs your heirs will pay.Life Insurance CalculatorCalculate your life insurance needs based on income, debts, and family situation.Beneficiary Designation CheckerCheck how divorce, creditors, and state laws affect your beneficiary designations.State Estate Law GuideSee probate costs, will requirements, trust rules, and intestacy laws for your state.Estate Planning Service ComparisonCompare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.Name a Guardian GuideSee how a parent names a guardian for their minor children, what weight the court gives your choice, and your options for temporary care.Burial & Cremation Law GuideSee who controls final arrangements, cremation and burial rules, and what your state allows.Signing Requirements CheckerFind witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.Document Portability CheckerCheck if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.Trust Need AssessmentFind out if a revocable trust makes sense based on your state, estate value, and family situation.TOD Deed AssessmentFind out if a transfer on death deed can keep your property out of probate.Vehicle TOD AssessmentFind out if you can name a beneficiary on your vehicle title to skip probate.Trust Account Opening GuideCompare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.Trust or Will Decision ToolCompare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
I'm inheriting
Who Inherits CalculatorFind out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will.Estate & Inheritance Tax CalculatorCalculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.Inheritance Tax GuideInheritance tax by state, federal tax on inheritance, and timeline estimates for receiving money, property, or retirement assets.Step-Up Basis CalculatorCalculate the new cost basis on inherited assets under IRC § 1014 and project capital gains tax savings.Inherited IRA Withdrawal RulesSee which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.Post-Death Tax Filing GuideFind out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
Someone I love died
Death Certificate CalculatorCalculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.Probate Decision ToolFind out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.Estate Settlement PlanPersonalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.What to Do When Someone Dies ChecklistA step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
I'm an executor
Probate Cost CalculatorEstimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate.Executor Fee CalculatorCalculate how much an executor can charge for administering an estate.Self-File Probate AssessmentWhether your state lets you open probate yourself, and what it costs with a lawyer and without one.Executor Appointment GuideSee the court, petition, bond, and documents needed to be appointed and receive your Letters.Creditor Claims DeadlinesFind creditor claim deadlines, notice requirements, and payment priority order for your state.Insolvent Estate CalculatorSee the order your state pays an insolvent estate's debts and which claims go unpaid.Estate Account Opening GuideCompare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.Personal Property Value EstimatorEstimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
I'm a trustee
Trustee Compensation CalculatorFind out what fair compensation looks like for serving as trustee.Trust Settlement PlanPersonalized plan for settling a trust after the grantor passes away.
I'm inheriting
Who Inherits CalculatorFind out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will.Estate & Inheritance Tax CalculatorCalculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.Inheritance Tax GuideInheritance tax by state, federal tax on inheritance, and timeline estimates for receiving money, property, or retirement assets.Step-Up Basis CalculatorCalculate the new cost basis on inherited assets under IRC § 1014 and project capital gains tax savings.Inherited IRA Withdrawal RulesSee which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.Post-Death Tax Filing GuideFind out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
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State Benefit Programs
Medicaid Estate RecoveryUnclaimed PropertyUnemployment BenefitsPublic PensionsVital Records
Federal Agencies
Administration for Community Living (ACL)Black Lung Benefits ProgramBureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)Defense Health Agency (DHA)Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)DOD Casualty Assistance ProgramDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA)Energy Employees Occupational Illness Program (EEOICPA)Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)Federal Election Commission (FEC)Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Federal Student Aid (FSA)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Indian Health Service (IHS)Internal Revenue Service (IRS)National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)NOAA Commissioned Officer CorpsOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)Radiation Exposure Compensation Program (RECA)Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (9/11 VCF)Social Security Administration (SSA)Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)Transportation Security Administration (TSA)U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)U.S. Coast Guard Casualty Assistance ProgramU.S. Copyright OfficeU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)U.S. Department of StateU.S. Department of the TreasuryU.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHS)U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)United States Postal Service (USPS)USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
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Estate PlanningEstate SettlementAll articles
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Articles
ArticlesNewsLife Events
Forms
Revocable Living TrustLast Will and TestamentPour-Over WillHealthcare Power of AttorneyFinancial Power of AttorneyTransfer on Death DeedVehicle Transfer on DeathLiving WillEIN ApplicationPetition for Probate and LettersNotice to CreditorsRenunciation of ExecutorAffidavit of HeirshipSmall Estate AffidavitEstate InventoryEstate ClosingLetter of InstructionDigital Assets Recovery Letter
I'm planning ahead
Estate Planning Cost CalculatorRevocable Living Trust Cost CalculatorWill Cost CalculatorLife Insurance CalculatorBeneficiary Designation CheckerState Estate Law GuideEstate Planning Service ComparisonName a Guardian GuideBurial & Cremation Law GuideSigning Requirements CheckerDocument Portability CheckerTrust Need AssessmentTOD Deed AssessmentVehicle TOD AssessmentTrust Account Opening GuideTrust or Will Decision Tool
I'm inheriting
Who Inherits CalculatorEstate & Inheritance Tax CalculatorInheritance Tax GuideStep-Up Basis CalculatorInherited IRA Withdrawal RulesPost-Death Tax Filing Guide
Someone I love died
Death Certificate CalculatorProbate Decision ToolEstate Settlement PlanWhat to Do When Someone Dies Checklist
I'm an executor
Probate Cost CalculatorExecutor Fee CalculatorSelf-File Probate AssessmentExecutor Appointment GuideCreditor Claims DeadlinesInsolvent Estate CalculatorEstate Account Opening GuidePersonal Property Value Estimator
I'm a trustee
Trustee Compensation CalculatorTrust Settlement Plan
I'm inheriting
Who Inherits CalculatorEstate & Inheritance Tax CalculatorInheritance Tax GuideStep-Up Basis CalculatorInherited IRA Withdrawal RulesPost-Death Tax Filing Guide
State Benefit Programs
Medicaid Estate RecoveryUnclaimed PropertyUnemployment BenefitsPublic PensionsVital Records
Federal Agencies
Administration for Community Living (ACL)Black Lung Benefits ProgramBureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)Defense Health Agency (DHA)Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)DOD Casualty Assistance ProgramDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA)Energy Employees Occupational Illness Program (EEOICPA)Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)Federal Election Commission (FEC)Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Federal Student Aid (FSA)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Indian Health Service (IHS)Internal Revenue Service (IRS)National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)NOAA Commissioned Officer CorpsOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)Radiation Exposure Compensation Program (RECA)Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (9/11 VCF)Social Security Administration (SSA)Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)Transportation Security Administration (TSA)U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)U.S. Coast Guard Casualty Assistance ProgramU.S. Copyright OfficeU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)U.S. Department of StateU.S. Department of the TreasuryU.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHS)U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)United States Postal Service (USPS)USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
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Home→Articles

Estate Planning Articles

Articles on wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, taxes, and inheritance, for planning ahead and for settling an estate. Written for families, not lawyers.

AllPlanning aheadSettling an estate
All topics368Probate and estate administration105Estate, 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

368 articles

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
Transitioning From Successor Trustee to Trustee: The Gist

Transitioning From Successor Trustee to Trustee: The Gist

A guide to understanding the transition from successor trustee to trustee, including the key steps and considerations for managing this important…
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 22, 2025
7 Common Trust Administration Issues

7 Common Trust Administration Issues

Trust administration issues can surface in the first weeks then recur again and again. The good news? Most trust administration issues are predictable.
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 22, 2025
What Being a Trustee Really Means

What Being a Trustee Really Means

Being a trustee is more than taking on a title. It’s a commitment to juggling someone else’s assets with care, integrity, and good judgment.
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 14, 2025
Trustee Liability: What Trustees Should Know

Trustee Liability: What Trustees Should Know

Trustee liability is the flip side of trustee authority. When someone accepts control over a trust, they also accept legal duties—and consequences if things go…
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 14, 2025
Estate Planning Is for Everyone, Not Just the Wealthy

Estate Planning Is for Everyone, Not Just the Wealthy

Estate planning serves everyone, not just the wealthy. It helps real people protect what matters most through simple, practical steps that work whether you…
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 8, 2025
The Ultimate Trustee Checklist, Step By Step

The Ultimate Trustee Checklist, Step By Step

Serving as a trustee? This comprehensive trustee checklist guides you through every responsibility step-by-step—from asset management to beneficiary…
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 1, 2025
How Splitting Assets in Divorce Works

How Splitting Assets in Divorce Works

Understanding how splitting assets in divorce works can make the divorce process smoother and more equitable.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 29, 2025
The Joy of Estate Planning for Grandchildren

The Joy of Estate Planning for Grandchildren

Estate planning for grandchildren creates lasting legacies through trusts, education funds, and meaningful gifts that support their dreams and futures.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 23, 2025
Trust FAQs

Trust FAQs

Understand what really happens after someone passes away, how probate works in plain English, and the practical steps families can take to streamline the…
Estate Settlement
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 23, 2025
Estate Planning

Estate Planning

Start with the building blocks of a solid estate plan—from key legal terms to choosing fiduciaries—so you can protect your loved ones and your assets with…
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 23, 2025
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