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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, with your state's filing or delivery instructions.Estate ClosingPrepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing instrument with its 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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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.
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 AssessmentFind out if you can handle probate yourself with estimated cost savings and a filing checklist.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.
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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.
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Home→News→Estate and Inheritance Tax News

Estate and Inheritance Tax News

News on estate, inheritance, and gift taxes: exemption changes, state repeals and rate changes, IRS guidance, and the rulings that reach estates and trusts.

All topics911Probate and estate administration389Estate, inheritance, and gift taxes278Trusts114Wills36Powers of attorney and incapacity97Beneficiaries and inheritance349Medicaid and long-term care38Digital assets14
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278 news posts

Wisconsin's $19,000 Gift Tax Exclusion in 2026

Wisconsin's $19,000 Gift Tax Exclusion in 2026

Wisconsin families can give $19,000 per recipient in 2026 tax-free, but Medicaid rules and marital property laws add critical complexity.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 10, 2026
Connecticut Domicile Rules and Estate Tax Disputes

Connecticut Domicile Rules and Estate Tax Disputes

A Connecticut estate tax dispute open since 2015 highlights how domicile rules affect families who live across state lines.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 1, 2026
Oregon's Estate Planning Diversity Gap and What It Means

Oregon's Estate Planning Diversity Gap and What It Means

ACTEC Foundation grants reveal Oregon has only 4 Black T&E attorneys. Here's what that gap means for Oregon estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 1, 2026
Idaho Estate Tax Reality: What Retirees Actually Face

Idaho Estate Tax Reality: What Retirees Actually Face

Idaho retirees face no state death tax and a $15M federal exemption. Income taxes on RMDs and inherited IRAs demand more attention.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 31, 2026
High-Value Estate Planning in Illinois: Key Strategies

High-Value Estate Planning in Illinois: Key Strategies

Illinois estates over $4M face state estate tax. Key strategies include trusts, TOD tools, and succession plans for business owners.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 31, 2026
AI, Genetics, and Digital Assets Lead 2026 Estate Planning Scholarship

AI, Genetics, and Digital Assets Lead 2026 Estate Planning Scholarship

AI-generated wills, genetic data, and digital likenesses top the 2026 ACTEC student writing competition — with direct implications for DC estate plans.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 31, 2026
Minority Valuation Discounts Cut Louisiana Estate Taxes

Minority Valuation Discounts Cut Louisiana Estate Taxes

Louisiana family business owners can use minority valuation discounts to reduce federal estate tax exposure when transferring ownership stakes.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 26, 2026
European Inheritance Taxes vs. Georgia Estate Rules

European Inheritance Taxes vs. Georgia Estate Rules

Europe's 2026 inheritance tax data reveals wide global variation. Here's what it means for Georgia families under state and federal law.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 24, 2026
2026 Federal and State Estate Tax Law Changes Explained

2026 Federal and State Estate Tax Law Changes Explained

The Big Beautiful Bill raises the federal estate tax exemption to $15M per person. Here's what that means for families in MD, DC, and VA.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 17, 2026
Estate Tax Incentives Drive Wealth Into Foundations

Estate Tax Incentives Drive Wealth Into Foundations

Federal estate tax incentives push billionaire wealth into foundations. Here's what that means for New York estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialAugust 14, 2026
SC Estate Tax Exemption Now $15M: What Families Need to Know

SC Estate Tax Exemption Now $15M: What Families Need to Know

Congress permanently raised the federal estate tax exemption to $15M per person in 2026. Here's what South Carolina families need to review.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 9, 2026
IRS Gift Tax Fix for Trump Accounts Explained

IRS Gift Tax Fix for Trump Accounts Explained

IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-25 creates a gift tax safe harbor for Trump account contributions, sparing millions of families from Form 709 filing requirements.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 6, 2026
Trump Accounts and Gift Tax Returns: What Donors Need to Know

Trump Accounts and Gift Tax Returns: What Donors Need to Know

New IRS guidance lets most Trump account donors skip gift tax returns if they stay within the $19,000 annual exclusion safe harbor.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJuly 6, 2026
Charitable Remainder Trusts: Estate Planning Guide

Charitable Remainder Trusts: Estate Planning Guide

New 2026 rules change the tax math on charitable remainder trusts. Here is what families need to know before funding one.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJune 20, 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
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

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
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

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
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
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