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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, with your state's filing or delivery instructions.Estate ClosingPrepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing instrument with its 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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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, and when your documents are actually done.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, what proves the trust, and what the successor trustee faces.Trust or Will Decision ToolCompare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
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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 tax for a missed withdrawal.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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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.
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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 AssessmentFind out if you can handle probate yourself with estimated cost savings and a filing checklist.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.
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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 tax for a missed withdrawal.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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Home→Articles→Probate and Estate Administration Articles

Probate and Estate Administration Articles

Articles on the probate process: what it costs in each state, how an executor is appointed, the creditor and inventory deadlines, and how an estate is closed.

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

90 articles

Transfer on Death Deeds: Simplified Estate Planning for Real Estate

Transfer on Death Deeds: Simplified Estate Planning for Real Estate

Transfer on death deeds let property owners pass real estate directly to beneficiaries without probate.
Estate Settlement
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 13, 2026
Estate Accounts Versus Trust Accounts: Key Differences Explained

Estate Accounts Versus Trust Accounts: Key Differences Explained

Understanding estate vs trust accounts helps families navigate asset distribution efficiently.
Trusts
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 12, 2026
Cost of Probate in Wyoming: A Complete Guide to Fees and Expenses

Cost of Probate in Wyoming: A Complete Guide to Fees and Expenses

Wyoming probate costs include $100 court fees plus attorney fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 28, 2026
Cost of Probate in Wisconsin: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Cost of Probate in Wisconsin: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Wisconsin probate costs range from $3,000-$15,000+ including court fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 28, 2026
Cost of Probate in West Virginia: Complete Fee Breakdown

Cost of Probate in West Virginia: Complete Fee Breakdown

West Virginia probate costs include $50 court fees and 2-4% attorney fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 28, 2026
Cost of Probate in Washington: Fees, Timeline, and How to Minimize Expenses

Cost of Probate in Washington: Fees, Timeline, and How to Minimize Expenses

Washington probate costs range from court fees to attorney expenses.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 28, 2026
Cost of Probate in Virginia: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Cost of Probate in Virginia: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Virginia probate costs range from 2-6% of estate value.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 28, 2026
Cost of Probate in Vermont: A Breakdown of Fees and Expenses

Cost of Probate in Vermont: A Breakdown of Fees and Expenses

Vermont probate costs 3-7% of estate value, with $100 filing fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 26, 2026
Cost of Probate in Utah: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Cost of Probate in Utah: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Utah probate costs range from thousands to tens of thousands
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 26, 2026
Cost of Probate in Texas: What Families Should Expect

Cost of Probate in Texas: What Families Should Expect

Texas probate costs include $360 court fees plus 2-4% attorney fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 26, 2026
Cost of Probate in Tennessee: Fee Breakdown

Cost of Probate in Tennessee: Fee Breakdown

Tennessee probate costs 2-6% of estate value, with attorney fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 26, 2026
Cost of Probate in South Dakota: Fees and More

Cost of Probate in South Dakota: Fees and More

South Dakota probate costs 2-6% of estate value, with fees starting at $122.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 26, 2026
What Is the Cost of Probate in South Carolina?

What Is the Cost of Probate in South Carolina?

South Carolina probate costs range from court fees to attorney expenses, typically 2-4% of estate value.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 26, 2026
Cost of Probate in Rhode Island: What Families Need to Know

Cost of Probate in Rhode Island: What Families Need to Know

Rhode Island probate costs range from $8,000-$14,000 for typical estates.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 25, 2026
Cost of Probate in Pennsylvania: What Families Pay

Cost of Probate in Pennsylvania: What Families Pay

Pennsylvania probate costs 2-6% of estate value, with attorney fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 25, 2026
What Is the Cost of Probate in Oregon?

What Is the Cost of Probate in Oregon?

Oregon probate costs include $591 court fees plus attorney fees of 2-4% of estate value.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 25, 2026
What Is the Cost of Probate in Oklahoma?

What Is the Cost of Probate in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma probate costs 2-4% of estate value, with court fees starting at $215.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 25, 2026
Cost of Probate in Ohio: Fees, Timelines, and More

Cost of Probate in Ohio: Fees, Timelines, and More

Ohio probate costs 2-6% of estate value, with fees starting at $200.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 25, 2026
Cost of Probate in North Dakota: Fees, Timelines, and More

Cost of Probate in North Dakota: Fees, Timelines, and More

North Dakota probate costs include $160 filing fees and 2-4% attorney fees.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 25, 2026
Cost of Probate in North Carolina: Fee Breakdown

Cost of Probate in North Carolina: Fee Breakdown

North Carolina probate costs $5,000-$15,000 typically, plus time.
State
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 17, 2026
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