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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, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.Estate ClosingPrepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's 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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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.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, and what proves the trust.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 missed-withdrawal tax.Post-Death Tax Filing GuideFind out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.

Someone I love died

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.

I'm an executor

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 AssessmentWhether your state lets you open probate yourself, and what it costs with a lawyer and without one.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.

I'm a trustee

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.

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 missed-withdrawal tax.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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State Benefit Programs

Medicaid Estate Recovery Unclaimed Property Unemployment Benefits Public Pensions Vital Records

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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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Estate Planning Estate Settlement All news

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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

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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

I'm planning ahead

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

I'm inheriting

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

I'm an executor

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

I'm a trustee

Trustee Compensation Calculator Trust Settlement Plan

I'm inheriting

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→News→Probate

News on Probate

Learn about probate process, costs, timeline, and which assets must go through court. Discover how probate works and explore strategies to avoid it.

Topic

All topics925 Probate and estate administration404 Estate, inheritance, and gift taxes280 Trusts130 Wills38 Powers of attorney and incapacity104 Beneficiaries and inheritance350 Medicaid and long-term care38 Digital assets14

Tag

All tags Probate308 Inheritance272 Tax Law236 Power of Attorney69 Estate Administration58 Wealth Transfer57 Estate Tax44 Revocable Trusts42 Wills38 Guardianship35 Financial Planning34 Beneficiary Designations32 Incapacity Planning30 Trust Funding29 Medicaid28 Trust Administration28 Trust27 Retirement25 Fiduciary Duty24 Gift Tax24 Executor21 Probate Avoidance21 Charitable Giving20 Beneficiary Rights19 Healthcare Proxy18 Intestacy17 Beneficiary16 Executor Duties16 Special Needs Trust16 Asset Protection15 Long-Term Care15 Digital Assets14 Elder Law14 Inheritance Tax13 Wealth Management13 Divorce12 Real Estate12 Business Succession11 Trustee11 Trustee Duties11 Will Contest11 Healthcare Directive10 Life Insurance10 Blended Families9 Conservatorship9 IRA9 Tax Planning8 Capital Gains7 Community Property7 Cost of Probate7 Gifting7 Inherited IRA7 Personal Representative7 Probate Disputes7 Small Estate7 Cryptocurrency6 Disability Planning6 Estate Disputes6 Family Conflict6 Irrevocable Trust6 Legacy6 Creditor Claims5 Family Dynamics5 Federal Estate Tax5 Generational Wealth5 Great Wealth Transfer5 Inherited Property5 Litigation5 Minor Children5 Retirement Accounts5 Trust Disputes5 Wealth Tax5

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308 news posts

Does Every Will Go Through Probate in Virginia?

Does Every Will Go Through Probate in Virginia?

A Virginia will does not guarantee probate. Asset ownership structure determines whether court administration is required.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 20, 2026

Wisconsin Snowbirds: Two-State Estate Planning Guide

Wisconsin Snowbirds: Two-State Estate Planning Guide

Wisconsin snowbirds face layered legal risks across probate, property, and healthcare directives when splitting time between two states.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 19, 2026

Adding a Child to Your Idaho Home to Avoid Probate

Adding a Child to Your Idaho Home to Avoid Probate

Adding a child to your Idaho deed or bank account to skip probate can cost you control, trigger taxes, and expose your home to their creditors.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 16, 2026

Estate Planning in Georgia Without a Home

Georgia renters and non-homeowners face the same intestacy rules, probate costs, and healthcare gaps as property owners. Here's what that means.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 16, 2026

Trust vs. Will in Georgia: What Families Need to Know

Georgia families weigh trust vs. will decisions against real probate costs, timelines, and state-specific rules that shape the right choice.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 13, 2026

Mike Ditka's Trust Strategy: What Florida Families Can Learn

Mike Ditka's trust-centered estate plan highlights privacy, probate avoidance, and tax strategies Florida families can apply to their own planning.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 12, 2026

POD Accounts in Maryland: Helpful Tool or Hidden Trap?

POD accounts bypass probate but can override your estate plan and trigger Maryland's 10% inheritance tax. Here's what Maryland families need to know.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 12, 2026

Ancillary Probate in Washington: How to Avoid It

Ancillary Probate in Washington: How to Avoid It

Washington residents who own out-of-state real estate may face two separate probate proceedings. Here's how to avoid it.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 7, 2026

NC Mobile Home Title Transfer Without Probate

NC Mobile Home Title Transfer Without Probate

NC law allows mobile home title transfers without full probate using Form MVR-317, but survivorship language and heir cooperation determine the outcome.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 5, 2026

Using a Trust to Keep a Parent's Home Out of NC Probate

Using a Trust to Keep a Parent's Home Out of NC Probate

A North Carolina trust keeps a parent's home out of probate only when a deed is signed, delivered, and recorded — not just when the trust is signed.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 5, 2026

Challenging Probate Administration in North Carolina

Challenging Probate Administration in North Carolina

North Carolina law gives heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors tools to challenge a personal representative's conduct during probate.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 5, 2026

Wrongful Death and Probate in New Mexico

Wrongful Death and Probate in New Mexico

When a loved one dies unexpectedly in New Mexico, wrongful death claims and probate often run simultaneously. Here's what families need to know.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 2, 2026

Missouri Small Estate Affidavit: Skip Probate Under $40K

Missouri Small Estate Affidavit: Skip Probate Under $40K

Missouri families can bypass full probate for estates under $40,000 using a simplified affidavit process filed with the probate court.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 2, 2026

How Often Kansas Families Should Update Estate Plans

How Often Kansas Families Should Update Estate Plans

Kansas families should review estate plans every 3–5 years and after major life events. Here's what Kansas law requires and what to check.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 2, 2026

IRA Beneficiary Mistakes That Trigger Wisconsin Probate

IRA Beneficiary Mistakes That Trigger Wisconsin Probate

Naming your estate as an IRA beneficiary in Wisconsin can trigger probate, compressed tax brackets, and accelerated distributions.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 1, 2026

Beneficiary Designation Mistakes That Haunt New York Estates

Outdated beneficiary designations override wills in New York. Here's what families need to know about keeping designations coordinated.

SimplyTrust EditorialOctober 1, 2026

Massachusetts Estate Tax and the Step-Up Basis Trap

A Massachusetts estate planning attorney's 30-year practice reveals how the state's $2M estate tax threshold creates hidden capital gains risks.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 29, 2026

How to Make a Will in California: What Families Need to Know

How to Make a Will in California: What Families Need to Know

California wills require 2 witnesses, not a notary. Learn execution rules, probate thresholds, and what a will can and cannot do.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 28, 2026

California Probate Attorney Fees: What Families Pay

California Probate Attorney Fees: What Families Pay

California sets probate attorney fees by statute. Here's what families actually pay and what questions matter most before hiring.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 22, 2026

NC Probate Documents After Estate Transfer Forms Are Mailed

NC Probate Documents After Estate Transfer Forms Are Mailed

NC executors can submit supplemental probate documents after mailing estate transfer forms. Here's what the process requires.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 21, 2026

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