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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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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.
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

Estate Tax Penalties Rise After Valuation Disputes

Estate Tax Penalties Rise After Valuation Disputes

Tax Court ruling shows how estate valuation disputes can trigger substantial penalties, with one estate facing $2.4M in accuracy-related penalties.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 23, 2026
Estate Tax Return Error Costs Family $2 Million Deduction

Estate Tax Return Error Costs Family $2 Million Deduction

Tax Court denies $2M marital deduction due to Form 706 preparation error, highlighting critical compliance requirements for estate tax returns.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 20, 2026
Estate Tax Collection Case Shows Risks of Installment Plans

Estate Tax Collection Case Shows Risks of Installment Plans

Federal court case shows how trustees and beneficiaries face personal liability when estate tax installment payments fail
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 17, 2026
Kentucky Estate Planning: Unknown Laws and Hidden Threats

Kentucky Estate Planning: Unknown Laws and Hidden Threats

Kentucky estate planning requires understanding complex state laws and external threats that can undermine even well-crafted plans.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 13, 2026
Estate Tax Reform Proposal Could Transform Wealth Taxation

Estate Tax Reform Proposal Could Transform Wealth Taxation

Tax scholar proposes abolishing estate tax and taxing inheritances as income instead, potentially transforming wealth taxation for billionaires.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 13, 2026
Oregon vs Washington Estate Tax Changes Create Planning Urgency

Oregon vs Washington Estate Tax Changes Create Planning Urgency

Oregon keeps nation’s lowest $1M estate tax exemption while Washington raises threshold to $3.076M but imposes 35% top rate, creating complex planning…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 6, 2026
Washington Reverses Estate Tax Hike After One Year

Washington Reverses Estate Tax Hike After One Year

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed legislation reversing the state’s estate tax increase after just one year, reducing the top rate from 35% back to 20%.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 25, 2026
Idaho Tax Changes Affect Senior Estate Planning Strategies

Idaho Tax Changes Affect Senior Estate Planning Strategies

Idaho’s tax-friendly environment creates unique estate planning opportunities for seniors, but strategic planning remains essential for capital gains and…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 24, 2026
Federal Estate Tax Exemption Permanently Set at $15 Million

Federal Estate Tax Exemption Permanently Set at $15 Million

OBBBA permanently set federal estate tax exemption at $15 million per person, ending uncertainty for Kentucky families planning wealth transfers.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 13, 2026
2026 Estate Planning Changes: New Tax Rules and Court Cases

2026 Estate Planning Changes: New Tax Rules and Court Cases

New 2026 estate tax rules from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act create planning opportunities and complexity, while recent Tax Court cases highlight precision…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 13, 2026
Massachusetts Rent Control Ballot Question Could Impact Estate Values

Massachusetts Rent Control Ballot Question Could Impact Estate Values

Massachusetts ballot question on statewide rent control could reduce property values by $300 billion, affecting estate planning strategies and tax thresholds.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 12, 2026
Kentucky Estate Planning Mistakes Cost Families Thousands

Kentucky Estate Planning Mistakes Cost Families Thousands

Kentucky families face costly estate planning failures when DIY documents fail, powers of attorney are rejected, and plans ignore state-specific requirements.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 12, 2026
NFL Team Owner Uses Trusts for $2 Billion Estate Transfer

NFL Team Owner Uses Trusts for $2 Billion Estate Transfer

Giants co-owner Steve Tisch transfers team stake to children through trusts, completing a multi-year estate planning strategy worth hundreds of millions.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 12, 2026
Maine School Budget Crisis Highlights Estate Planning Needs

Maine School Budget Crisis Highlights Estate Planning Needs

South Portland’s $8.4M budget cuts and 6% tax hike highlight estate planning needs as Maine property owners face rising costs and state estate taxes.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 11, 2026
Unlocking Tax Strategies for Effective Estate Planning

Unlocking Tax Strategies for Effective Estate Planning

Discover how proactive tax planning can secure your estate’s future and reduce anxiety around IRS audits.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 10, 2026
How Estate Planning Can Reduce Taxes in Cedar Rapids

How Estate Planning Can Reduce Taxes in Cedar Rapids

Discover how estate planning can significantly reduce your tax burden in Cedar Rapids and preserve wealth for your family.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 10, 2026
Navigating Charitable Planning for Debt-Financed Real Estate

Navigating Charitable Planning for Debt-Financed Real Estate

Learn how to effectively donate debt-financed real estate to charity without tax headaches.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 9, 2026
Upcoming Changes to Estate and Gift Taxes: What to Know

Upcoming Changes to Estate and Gift Taxes: What to Know

Potential estate and gift tax changes are on the horizon—are you prepared for what’s next?
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 9, 2026
Understanding the State Tax Competitiveness Index for Estate Planning

Understanding the State Tax Competitiveness Index for Estate Planning

Discover how the State Tax Competitiveness Index impacts your estate planning decisions.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 9, 2026
High-Income Tax Proposals: Impact on Estate Planning Strategies

High-Income Tax Proposals: Impact on Estate Planning Strategies

Discover how recent high-income tax proposals impact estate planning strategies for affluent individuals.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 9, 2026
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