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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

Louisiana Succession: Independent vs. Ordinary Administration

Louisiana Succession: Independent vs. Ordinary Administration

Louisiana successions follow two administration tracks. The choice between independent and ordinary administration affects costs, timelines, and court…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 8, 2026
Louisiana Succession Representatives and Estate Property Use

Louisiana Succession Representatives and Estate Property Use

Louisiana succession representatives hold fiduciary duties over estate property — not personal use rights. Here's what heirs and executors need to know.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 8, 2026
Probating a Missing Will in Louisiana: What Families Need to Know

Probating a Missing Will in Louisiana: What Families Need to Know

Louisiana courts may reject an unsigned will copy entirely. Here's what families need to know when the original goes missing.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 8, 2026
Louisiana Provisional Administrators: What Families Need to Know

Louisiana Provisional Administrators: What Families Need to Know

Louisiana courts can appoint a provisional administrator to protect estate assets when succession proceedings stall. Here's what families need to know.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 8, 2026
Can Idaho Families Avoid Probate? 6 Strategies

Can Idaho Families Avoid Probate? 6 Strategies

Idaho probate triggers at $100,000 or any solely-titled real estate. Six strategies help families avoid the court process entirely.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 7, 2026
Will Fraud and Cognitive Decline: What Families Need to Know

Will Fraud and Cognitive Decline: What Families Need to Know

A viral Reddit story exposes how cognitive decline creates estate planning vulnerabilities that can cost families their homes.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 7, 2026
Do All Wills Go Through Probate in Massachusetts?

Do All Wills Go Through Probate in Massachusetts?

Most Massachusetts wills require probate, but small estates under $25,000 in personal property may qualify for a simplified path.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
LGBTQ+ Estate Planning in California: What Families Need to Know

LGBTQ+ Estate Planning in California: What Families Need to Know

California's intestate laws leave unmarried partners legally unprotected. Here's what LGBTQ+ families need to know about estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
Choosing an Estate Executor: Who Should Serve?

Choosing an Estate Executor: Who Should Serve?

Naming a family member as executor feels natural, but the role carries legal liability and administrative demands that can overwhelm even devoted relatives.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
Cryptocurrency Estate Planning Pitfalls in Missouri

Cryptocurrency Estate Planning Pitfalls in Missouri

Missouri crypto owners face unique estate planning risks. Learn how state probate rules, POA requirements, and trust law affect digital asset transfers.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
7 Trust Mistakes Virginia Families Make After Signing

7 Trust Mistakes Virginia Families Make After Signing

Virginia families often sign a revocable trust and stop there. Seven common mistakes leave assets exposed to the probate process the trust was built to avoid.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
IRS Mandates Electronic Filing for Retirement Plan Rulings

IRS Mandates Electronic Filing for Retirement Plan Rulings

IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-30 mandates electronic filing for retirement plan letter rulings starting September 4, 2026.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
When Kentucky Banks Reject Your Power of Attorney

When Kentucky Banks Reject Your Power of Attorney

Kentucky banks can legally reject a power of attorney. Here is what families need to know and what steps to take when it happens.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
Why a Will Alone Falls Short in Hawaii Estate Planning

Why a Will Alone Falls Short in Hawaii Estate Planning

A Hawaii estate planning firm explains why a will alone leaves critical gaps — from probate exposure to incapacity and beneficiary conflicts.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026
Missouri Families and the Great Wealth Transfer

Missouri Families and the Great Wealth Transfer

Missouri families face probate costs, long-term care expenses, and tax exposure during the Great Wealth Transfer. Here's what the numbers mean.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 4, 2026
How Illinois Homeowners Keep Property Out of Probate

How Illinois Homeowners Keep Property Out of Probate

Illinois homeowners face real probate risks. Learn how trusts, TODIs, and beneficiary designations keep property out of court.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 4, 2026
Why a Perfect Estate Plan Can Still Fail

Why a Perfect Estate Plan Can Still Fail

A well-drafted trust failed because beneficiary forms were never returned. Here's why account designations override your estate plan.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 3, 2026
AI Tools for Special Needs Estate Planning Families

AI Tools for Special Needs Estate Planning Families

AI tools help special needs families navigate complex planning, but professional oversight remains essential for trust and benefit decisions.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 3, 2026
Outdated IRA Beneficiary Form Sends $500K to Probate

Outdated IRA Beneficiary Form Sends $500K to Probate

A 1998 IRA beneficiary form overrode a current will, sending $500,000 through probate. Here is what families need to know.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 3, 2026
Lady Bird Deeds in Michigan: Avoid Probate on Your Home

Lady Bird Deeds in Michigan: Avoid Probate on Your Home

Michigan's Lady Bird Deed lets homeowners transfer real estate at death without probate while keeping full control during their lifetime.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 16, 2026
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