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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
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766 news posts

North Carolina Estate Planning: Handling Undecided Property Distributions

North Carolina allows estate planning in stages - power of attorney documents can be signed immediately while property distribution decisions remain pending.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 11, 2026
Wisconsin Estate Planning Essentials for Young Adults

Wisconsin Estate Planning Essentials for Young Adults

Wisconsin estate planning guidance targets young adults, emphasizing that basic documents become essential at 18 when parental authority ends.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 11, 2026
Georgia Updates Transfer-on-Death Deed Laws in 2026

Georgia Updates Transfer-on-Death Deed Laws in 2026

Georgia's 2026 TOD deed law changes eliminate acceptance deadlines but create new estate administration challenges that may make trust-based planning more…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 11, 2026
When California Power of Attorney Documents Fail Families

When California Power of Attorney Documents Fail Families

California banks increasingly delay or refuse valid power of attorney documents during family emergencies, creating financial obstacles when families need…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 10, 2026
Avoiding Probate: How Revocable Living Trusts Work

Avoiding Probate: How Revocable Living Trusts Work

Iowa law firm explains how revocable living trusts avoid probate's expense and publicity while warning against risky DIY methods like joint ownership.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 9, 2026
Kansas Estate Planning Documents for Aging Parents

Kansas Estate Planning Documents for Aging Parents

Kansas families with aging parents need six key legal documents to avoid court intervention and protect their loved ones' wishes.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 4, 2026
LGBTQIA+ Estate Planning Protections in California

LGBTQIA+ Estate Planning Protections in California

LGBTQIA+ Californians face unique estate planning challenges where chosen family may lack legal authority and biological relatives could override…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
IRS Proposes Estate Tax Closing Letter Fee Increase to $76

IRS Proposes Estate Tax Closing Letter Fee Increase to $76

IRS proposes increasing estate tax closing letter fees from $56 to $76, reflecting higher operational costs for processing and quality assurance.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Wisconsin Couples Face Estate Planning Decisions After Marriage

Wisconsin Couples Face Estate Planning Decisions After Marriage

Wisconsin's marital property laws automatically change asset ownership for newlyweds, creating immediate estate planning implications that require careful…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Iowa Attorney Outlines 3 Asset Protection Strategies for Long-Term Care

Iowa Attorney Outlines 3 Asset Protection Strategies for Long-Term Care

Iowa attorney outlines three key strategies to protect family assets from devastating long-term care costs averaging $120,000 annually nationwide.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Maryland Tax Fraud Defense: Understanding Criminal vs Civil Penalties

Maryland Tax Fraud Defense: Understanding Criminal vs Civil Penalties

Maryland law firm guidance reveals IRS maintains 89% conviction rate in tax fraud cases, highlighting critical differences between civil errors and criminal…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
DIY Wills vs. Attorney-Drafted Documents in South Carolina

DIY Wills vs. Attorney-Drafted Documents in South Carolina

South Carolina families choosing DIY wills face execution risks and hidden costs that can exceed initial attorney fees during probate proceedings.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Hawaii Parents Face Legal Gap in Guardian Planning

Hawaii Parents Face Legal Gap in Guardian Planning

Hawaii parents often overlook the critical 72-hour gap when children need immediate care before courts can formally appoint guardians.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Joint vs Mutual Wills: Key Differences for Estate Planning

Joint vs Mutual Wills: Key Differences for Estate Planning

Joint and mutual wills create complexity and potential disputes for couples, with experts recommending separate wills for greater flexibility in estate…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Choosing the Right Special Needs Trust Trustee in New Jersey

Choosing the Right Special Needs Trust Trustee in New Jersey

New Jersey families creating special needs trusts face critical decisions about trustee selection that directly impact government benefit eligibility and…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Rhode Island Trust Funding Crisis Leaves Families Vulnerable

Rhode Island Trust Funding Crisis Leaves Families Vulnerable

Rhode Island law firm identifies widespread trust funding crisis where families believe their estate plans are complete but assets remain vulnerable to probate.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Estate Plans That Stop Working: Common Issues and Solutions

Estate Plans That Stop Working: Common Issues and Solutions

Estate plans can quietly become ineffective as life changes while documents remain static, creating unexpected probate costs and family complications.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Wisconsin Probate Threatens Business Operations Without Planning

Wisconsin Probate Threatens Business Operations Without Planning

Wisconsin probate can disrupt business operations for months, creating uncertainty over management authority and ownership disputes among heirs.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
Forward Inheritance Tackles $84 Trillion Wealth Transfer Crisis

Forward Inheritance Tackles $84 Trillion Wealth Transfer Crisis

Forward Inheritance CEO discusses how traditional inheritance timing fails families, with wealth arriving in their 60s rather than wealth-building 30s.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
$124 Trillion Wealth Transfer Reshapes Estate Planning

$124 Trillion Wealth Transfer Reshapes Estate Planning

New research reveals 70% of heirs drop family advisors during the $124 trillion wealth transfer by 2048, fundamentally changing estate planning relationships.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026
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