Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
TrustCreate a TrustEstateSettle an EstateFormsForms & ToolsFreeResources
Estate PlanningEstate SettlementAll news
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
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.
Browse all forms
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, 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.
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 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.
Browse all tools
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)
Browse all agencies
Estate PlanningEstate SettlementAll news
State
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Articles
ArticlesNewsLife Events
Forms
Revocable Living TrustLast Will and TestamentPour-Over WillHealthcare Power of AttorneyFinancial Power of AttorneyTransfer on Death DeedVehicle Transfer on DeathLiving Will
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
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)
Browse all formsBrowse all toolsBrowse all agenciesBrowse all institutionsBrowse all digital assets
Home→News→News for Planning Ahead

News for Planning Ahead

News that changes a plan made ahead of time: federal and state tax exemptions, will and trust law, powers of attorney, transfer on death rules, and the court decisions that reach them.

AllPlanning aheadSettling an estate
All topics911Probate and estate administration389Estate, inheritance, and gift taxes278Trusts114Wills36Powers of attorney and incapacity97Beneficiaries and inheritance349Medicaid and long-term care38Digital assets14
All statesAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
NewsArticles

766 news posts

Preventing Will and Trust Disputes in Washington State

Preventing Will and Trust Disputes in Washington State

Washington estate planning attorneys outline six strategies to prevent costly will and trust disputes for Puget Sound families.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 16, 2026
Power of Attorney Types: Which One Does Your Plan Need?

Power of Attorney Types: Which One Does Your Plan Need?

A 2026 guide breaks down durable vs. springing POAs, financial vs. healthcare authority, and why timing determines whether your plan works.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 16, 2026
Father's Day and Family Estate Planning in Massachusetts

Father's Day and Family Estate Planning in Massachusetts

Father's Day highlights why Massachusetts families need guardianship plans, wills, and trusts to protect the people who matter most.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 16, 2026
Divorce and Estate Plans: What Jelly Roll's Split Teaches Us

Divorce and Estate Plans: What Jelly Roll's Split Teaches Us

Jelly Roll's 2026 divorce filing highlights why estate plans must be reviewed immediately during any separation, not after.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 16, 2026
Social Security 2032 Shortfall: Estate Planning Impact

Social Security 2032 Shortfall: Estate Planning Impact

The 2026 trustees report projects a Social Security shortfall by 2032. Here is what that means for estate and retirement planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 16, 2026
Kansas Families Need These 6 Legal Documents for Aging Parents

Kansas Families Need These 6 Legal Documents for Aging Parents

Kansas families need six essential legal documents for aging parents to avoid costly court proceedings and ensure proper care decisions.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 15, 2026
How Revocable Living Trusts Avoid Probate and Protect Assets

How Revocable Living Trusts Avoid Probate and Protect Assets

Revocable living trusts avoid probate by eliminating orphaned assets, maintaining privacy, and allowing direct transfer to beneficiaries without court…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 15, 2026
Nebraska Inheritance Tax Drives Strategic Estate Planning

Nebraska Inheritance Tax Drives Strategic Estate Planning

Nebraska's inheritance tax structure creates unique planning challenges, with rates varying by beneficiary relationships from 0% for spouses to 15% for…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 14, 2026
Maryland Court Expands Voting Rights for Disabled Adults Under Guardianship

Maryland Court Expands Voting Rights for Disabled Adults Under Guardianship

Maryland's appellate court ruled that adults under guardianship retain voting rights unless courts prove with clear evidence they cannot communicate a desire…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 14, 2026
Wisconsin Incapacity Planning: When Loved Ones Can't Make Decisions

Wisconsin Incapacity Planning: When Loved Ones Can't Make Decisions

Wisconsin families face complex decisions when loved ones show signs of cognitive decline affecting their ability to make legal and financial choices.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 14, 2026

Title Insurance and Revocable Trusts: Coverage Gaps

Transferring property into a revocable trust can create title insurance coverage gaps if not properly coordinated with existing policies.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 14, 2026

Court Ruling Limits Estate Tax Avoidance Through Last-Minute Transfers

Fifth Circuit ruling reinforces strict scrutiny of last-minute estate tax avoidance strategies, upholding penalties for transfers lacking genuine business…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 13, 2026
Wisconsin Estate Planning Unique Challenges for Madison Families

Wisconsin Estate Planning Unique Challenges for Madison Families

Madison families face unique estate planning challenges due to Wisconsin's marital property laws, diverse demographics, and growing tech economy.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 13, 2026

NC Power of Attorney vs Will: Managing Business Affairs

North Carolina families need both powers of attorney for lifetime business management and wills for after-death property distribution.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 13, 2026

North Carolina Grandchildren Can Help Coordinate Estate Planning

North Carolina law allows grandchildren to help coordinate estate planning logistics for grandparents while preserving decision-making authority.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 12, 2026
Nebraska Estate Planning: Key Features for Wealth Transfer

Nebraska Estate Planning: Key Features for Wealth Transfer

Nebraska's unique inheritance tax structure and streamlined probate options create distinct estate planning opportunities for wealth transfer strategies.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 12, 2026
Wisconsin Summer Travel: Essential Estate Planning Check

Wisconsin Summer Travel: Essential Estate Planning Check

Wisconsin attorneys emphasize reviewing estate planning documents before summer travel, as family members lack automatic authority during emergencies.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 12, 2026
When California Power of Attorney Documents Fail Banks

When California Power of Attorney Documents Fail Banks

California families often discover during medical crises that properly executed Power of Attorney documents face unexpected delays at banks and financial…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 12, 2026

NC Power of Attorney Can Be Completed Before Will Is Finished

North Carolina allows power of attorney documents to be executed before completing a will, providing crucial incapacity protection while estate plans develop.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 12, 2026

Court Rejects Estate Tax Discount After Deathbed Partnership

Fifth Circuit rejects $6M estate tax discount from deathbed partnership, upholding penalties for transfers lacking legitimate business purpose.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 11, 2026
Previous
1...101112...39
1...1012...39
Next
SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • 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
  • Forms for Planning Your Estate
  • All forms

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Settle an Estate
  • Estate Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance
  • Tools for Planning Your Estate
  • Tools for Heirs and Beneficiaries
  • All tools

Compare

  • Compare Services
  • vs LegalZoom
  • vs Trust & Will
  • vs Rocket Lawyer
  • vs Quicken WillMaker

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Wills
  • Articles
  • News
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Institutions
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. Laws, fees, forms, and office details change. Information here may contain errors or be out of date; confirm current requirements with the relevant court, agency, brand, or statute before acting. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.