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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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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.

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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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Revocable Living Trust Last Will and Testament Pour-Over Will Healthcare Power of Attorney Financial Power of Attorney Transfer on Death Deed Vehicle Transfer on Death Living Will EIN Application Petition for Probate and Letters Notice to Creditors Renunciation of Executor Affidavit of Heirship Small Estate Affidavit Estate Inventory Estate Closing Letter of Instruction Digital Assets Recovery Letter

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Estate Planning Cost Calculator Revocable Living Trust Cost Calculator Will Cost Calculator Life Insurance Calculator Beneficiary Designation Checker State Estate Law Guide Estate Planning Service Comparison Name a Guardian Guide Burial & Cremation Law Guide Signing Requirements Checker Document Portability Checker Trust Need Assessment TOD Deed Assessment Vehicle TOD Assessment Trust Account Opening Guide Trust or Will Decision Tool

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Who Inherits Calculator Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator Inheritance Tax Guide Step-Up Basis Calculator Inherited IRA Withdrawal Rules Post-Death Tax Filing Guide

Someone I love died

Death Certificate Calculator Probate Decision Tool Estate Settlement Plan What to Do When Someone Dies Checklist

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Probate Cost Calculator Executor Fee Calculator Self-File Probate Assessment Executor Appointment Guide Creditor Claims Deadlines Insolvent Estate Calculator Estate Account Opening Guide Personal Property Value Estimator

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Trustee Compensation Calculator Trust Settlement Plan

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Who Inherits Calculator Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator Inheritance Tax Guide Step-Up Basis Calculator Inherited IRA Withdrawal Rules Post-Death Tax Filing Guide

State Benefit Programs

Medicaid Estate Recovery Unclaimed Property Unemployment Benefits Public Pensions Vital Records

Federal Agencies

Administration for Community Living (ACL)Black Lung Benefits Program Bureau 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 Program Drug 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 Corps Office 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 Program U.S. Copyright Office U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)U.S. Department of State U.S. Department of the Treasury U.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 and Inheritance Tax Articles

Estate and Inheritance Tax Articles

Articles on the taxes that reach an estate: the federal exemption, the state estate and inheritance taxes, gift tax rules, step-up in basis, and the returns filed after a death.

Topic

All topics353 Probate and estate administration90 Estate, inheritance, and gift taxes109 Trusts102 Wills15 Powers of attorney and incapacity11 Beneficiaries and inheritance17 Medicaid and long-term care2 Digital assets5

State

All states Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Type

109 articles

North Dakota Inheritance Tax History

North Dakota Inheritance Tax History

North Dakota has never imposed inheritance or estate taxes. Learn what that means for those who own property in the state.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 30, 2026

Estate Tax in North Dakota: A History

Estate Tax in North Dakota: A History

There’s no estate tax in North Dakota. Read about why that’s the case and what it means for residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 30, 2026

What About North Carolina Inheritance Tax?

What About North Carolina Inheritance Tax?

North Carolina has no inheritance tax for beneficiaries, which is a real boon for families who live in or own property in the state.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 29, 2026

What About Estate Tax in North Carolina?

What About Estate Tax in North Carolina?

Read about the history of estate tax in North Carolina, why the state got rid of the tax and what it means for your family.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 29, 2026

Montana Inheritance Tax: What You Need to Know

Montana Inheritance Tax: What You Need to Know

Montana has no inheritance tax, making it inheritance-friendly. Read about why the state doesn’t have an inheritance tax and what that means.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 29, 2026

Estate Tax in Montana: What You Need to Know

Estate Tax in Montana: What You Need to Know

Montana has no estate or inheritance tax, benefiting families, residents and property owners who live in the Big Sky state.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 29, 2026

The History of Inheritance Tax in New Mexico

The History of Inheritance Tax in New Mexico

How New Mexico eliminated inheritance tax and simplified estate planning and what it all means for residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 29, 2026

The History of Estate Tax in New Mexico

The History of Estate Tax in New Mexico

New Mexico eliminated its estate tax decades ago, simplifying estate planning for residents and property owners in the state. Learn more.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 29, 2026

Does New Hampshire Have an Inheritance Tax?

Does New Hampshire Have an Inheritance Tax?

There’s no inheritance tax in New Hampshire. So what does that mean for residents and property owners in the state?

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 28, 2026

Why No Estate Tax in New Hampshire?

Why No Estate Tax in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has no estate or inheritance tax, simplifying planning. Learn what this means for residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 28, 2026

Missouri Inheritance Tax: What You Need to Know

Missouri Inheritance Tax: What You Need to Know

Missouri has no inheritance tax, making it tax-friendly for families. Learn about how the state rules apply to residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 28, 2026

Estate Tax in Missouri: What Residents Need to Know

Estate Tax in Missouri: What Residents Need to Know

Read about why Missouri has no estate tax and what it means for residents and property owners in the state.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 28, 2026

Why Mississippi Has No Inheritance Tax

Why Mississippi Has No Inheritance Tax

Read about inheritance tax in Mississippi, including why the state has no inheritance tax and how that benefits residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 27, 2026

Mississippi Estate Tax: What Families Need to Know

Mississippi Estate Tax: What Families Need to Know

Read about estate tax in Mississippi, including why the state has not estate tax (or inheritance tax) and how that benefits residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 27, 2026

Does Michigan Have an Inheritance Tax? What Heirs Need to Know

Does Michigan Have an Inheritance Tax? What Heirs Need to Know

Read about why the state of Michigan has no inheritance tax on beneficiaries and what that means for residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 22, 2026

Estate Tax in Michigan: What Residents Need to Know in 2026

Estate Tax in Michigan: What Residents Need to Know in 2026

Read about estate tax in Michigan, including whether the state levies its own tax and what that means for residents and property owners.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 22, 2026

Why No Inheritance Tax in Louisiana?

Why No Inheritance Tax in Louisiana?

Louisiana has no inheritance tax, benefiting families who live or own property in the state. Learn how it works.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 21, 2026

Why No Estate Tax in Louisiana?

Why No Estate Tax in Louisiana?

Louisiana eliminated its estate tax in 2004, simplifying planning for residents and property owners. Here’s the overview.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 20, 2026

Inheritance Tax in Kansas: Why There Isn’t One

Inheritance Tax in Kansas: Why There Isn’t One

There’s no inheritance tax in Kansas, making it simpler for families. Learn what it means for residents and property owners in the state.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 15, 2026

Estate Tax in Kansas: Why There Isn’t One

Estate Tax in Kansas: Why There Isn’t One

Kansas has no estate or inheritance tax – only federal rules apply. Read about why the state has no estate tax and what that means.

SimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 14, 2026

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