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

2025 Estate Planning Update: Key Tax Law Changes Ahead

2025 Estate Planning Update: Key Tax Law Changes Ahead

Discover how new tax law changes for 2026 can impact your estate planning strategies.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 29, 2025
Essential Estate Planning Tips for Texans in 2025

Essential Estate Planning Tips for Texans in 2025

Discover essential estate planning tips from a Central Texas expert to secure your legacy in 2025.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 29, 2025
How Billionaires Use $1 Salaries to Dodge Taxes

How Billionaires Use $1 Salaries to Dodge Taxes

Discover how billionaires use minimal salaries to reduce tax burdens and what it means for estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 28, 2025
Navigating Estate Planning Talks with Your Parents

Navigating Estate Planning Talks with Your Parents

Explore tips for discussing estate planning with your parents and ensure their wishes are honored.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 26, 2025
Understanding Beneficiary Rights in California Trusts

Understanding Beneficiary Rights in California Trusts

Explore your rights as a beneficiary in California trusts and learn how to protect your interests.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 26, 2025
Understanding the Slayer Rule in Inheritance Cases

Understanding the Slayer Rule in Inheritance Cases

Explore how the slayer rule impacts inheritance in murder cases.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 25, 2025
Navigating Unequal Inheritance Claims in California

Navigating Unequal Inheritance Claims in California

Unequal inheritance can lead to emotional and legal turmoil; know your rights in California.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 24, 2025
Combatting Power of Attorney Abuse: Essential Steps

Combatting Power of Attorney Abuse: Essential Steps

Discover essential steps to combat Power of Attorney abuse and protect your loved ones in California.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 24, 2025
Key Updates in Estate Planning Law You Should Know

Key Updates in Estate Planning Law You Should Know

Discover the latest estate planning law updates that could impact your finances and legacy.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 24, 2025
Understanding California’s Legal Will Requirements

Understanding California’s Legal Will Requirements

Learn the essential requirements for making a will valid in California and avoid costly probate disputes.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 24, 2025
Preserve Family Heirlooms: Key Estate Planning Strategies

Preserve Family Heirlooms: Key Estate Planning Strategies

Discover essential strategies to preserve family heirlooms through effective estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 22, 2025
Protecting Young Heirs: Smart Estate Planning Tips

Protecting Young Heirs: Smart Estate Planning Tips

Learn how to protect your heirs from financial pitfalls in estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 22, 2025
Recent Court Decisions Impacting Estate Planning in California

Recent Court Decisions Impacting Estate Planning in California

Discover how recent California court decisions could impact your estate planning strategy and what you need to know to stay compliant.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 22, 2025
Navigating Recent Changes in Estate Planning Law

Navigating Recent Changes in Estate Planning Law

Discover how recent changes in estate planning laws could impact your future and what steps you should consider taking now.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 22, 2025
Montgomery County Probate Court Holiday Closure Announcement

Montgomery County Probate Court Holiday Closure Announcement

Mark your calendars! Montgomery County Probate Court has key holiday closure dates.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 22, 2025
How DNA Tests Are Transforming Inheritance Laws in the US

How DNA Tests Are Transforming Inheritance Laws in the US

Discover how DNA testing is reshaping inheritance laws and what it means for your estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 22, 2025
Key Updates in New York Estate Planning Litigation

Key Updates in New York Estate Planning Litigation

Discover crucial updates in New York estate planning and litigation that could affect your trust and will.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 19, 2025
Can Inheritance Survive Murder Charges? Legal Insights

Can Inheritance Survive Murder Charges? Legal Insights

Can an heir inherit if facing murder charges? Explore this complex legal issue shaped by recent events.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 18, 2025
Trust Fund Hypocrisy: Lessons for Modern Estate Planning

Trust Fund Hypocrisy: Lessons for Modern Estate Planning

Explore the irony of trust funds and modern estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 17, 2025

Estate Planning Faces Digital Revolution as AI and Tech Transform Legal Practice

Estate planning embraces AI and digital tools while courts clarify how traditional legal principles apply to modern technology and cryptocurrency inheritance.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialDecember 17, 2025
Previous
1...272829...39
1...2729...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.