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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.

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.

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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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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

Articles

Articles News Life Events

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 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→Will News

Will News

News on wills: execution and witness changes, electronic and remote signing, will contests, and the decisions that settle what a will means.

Topic

All topics911 Probate and estate administration389 Estate, inheritance, and gift taxes278 Trusts114 Wills36 Powers of attorney and incapacity97 Beneficiaries and inheritance349 Medicaid and long-term care38 Digital assets14

State

All states 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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36 news posts

NC Estate Planning Documents That Work Together

NC Estate Planning Documents That Work Together

A NC law firm explains why wills, deeds, trusts, and beneficiary forms must align—and what happens when they don't.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 21, 2026

Update Your Georgia Will or Trust Before International Travel

Update Your Georgia Will or Trust Before International Travel

International travel reveals outdated Georgia estate plans. Review fiduciaries, trust funding, and beneficiary designations before you leave.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 16, 2026

AI Estate Planning Documents: What Georgia Residents Should Know

AI Estate Planning Documents: What Georgia Residents Should Know

AI tools can draft estate documents, but Georgia's specific legal requirements create real risks for documents created without expert guidance.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 15, 2026

Alabama Estate Planning Checklist: 10 Key Documents

Alabama Estate Planning Checklist: 10 Key Documents

Alabama seniors need 10 key estate planning documents. Here's what each one does and how Alabama law shapes the requirements.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 2, 2026

Why Georgia Families File Wills with Probate Court

Why Georgia Families File Wills with Probate Court

Georgia families file wills with probate court to confirm validity, authorize executors, and prevent heir disputes — even when full probate isn't required.

SimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 1, 2026

Per Stirpes in Virginia Wills and Trusts Explained

Per Stirpes in Virginia Wills and Trusts Explained

Virginia uses Modern Per Stirpes distribution by default. Here's what that means for your will, trust, and family inheritance plan.

SimplyTrust EditorialAugust 20, 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.

SimplyTrust 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.

SimplyTrust EditorialAugust 6, 2026

Liam Payne's Estate: What $28M Teaches Parents

Liam Payne's Estate: What $28M Teaches Parents

Liam Payne died without a will at 31, leaving a $28M estate to his 9-year-old son. Here's what that means for your family's plan.

SimplyTrust EditorialJune 23, 2026

Choosing the Right Executor for Your Estate

Choosing the Right Executor for Your Estate

Choosing an executor affects what your beneficiaries receive. Understand the trade-offs between family, lawyer, and corporate executors.

SimplyTrust EditorialJune 23, 2026

What to Bring to Your SC Estate Planning Meeting

What to Bring to Your SC Estate Planning Meeting

South Carolina families preparing for an estate planning meeting benefit from gathering documents across five key categories before the consultation.

SimplyTrust EditorialJune 23, 2026

Father's Day and Family Estate Planning in Massachusetts

Father's Day and Family Estate Planning in Massachusetts

Father's Day highlights why Massachusetts families need guardianship plans, wills, and trusts to protect the people who matter most.

SimplyTrust EditorialJune 16, 2026

NC Power of Attorney vs Will: Managing Business Affairs

North Carolina families need both powers of attorney for lifetime business management and wills for after-death property distribution.

SimplyTrust EditorialJune 13, 2026

North Carolina Estate Planning: Handling Undecided Property Distributions

North Carolina allows estate planning in stages - power of attorney documents can be signed immediately while property distribution decisions remain pending.

SimplyTrust EditorialJune 11, 2026

Joint vs Mutual Wills: Key Differences for Estate Planning

Joint vs Mutual Wills: Key Differences for Estate Planning

Joint and mutual wills create complexity and potential disputes for couples, with experts recommending separate wills for greater flexibility in estate…

SimplyTrust EditorialJune 2, 2026

Anna Nicole Smith's Estate Planning Mistakes Offer Lessons

Anna Nicole Smith's Estate Planning Mistakes Offer Lessons

Anna Nicole Smith's estate planning failures led to years of litigation and unintended consequences, offering important lessons about contingent beneficiaries.

SimplyTrust EditorialMay 25, 2026

Estate Planning Software Updates Reflect Growing DIY Trend

Estate Planning Software Updates Reflect Growing DIY Trend

Estate planning software continues evolving with comprehensive tools for creating wills, trusts, and other documents without attorney involvement.

SimplyTrust EditorialApril 25, 2026

How Beneficiary Designations Override Wills in Maryland

How Beneficiary Designations Override Wills in Maryland

Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance override wills, creating unintended consequences when estate planning documents aren’t…

SimplyTrust EditorialApril 14, 2026

Understanding Wills vs Power of Attorney in North Carolina

Understanding Wills vs Power of Attorney in North Carolina

North Carolina law requires different execution standards for wills and powers of attorney, with each document serving distinct purposes in estate planning.

SimplyTrust EditorialApril 9, 2026

Wisconsin Estate Planning: Wills vs Trusts for Asset Protection

Wisconsin Estate Planning: Wills vs Trusts for Asset Protection

Wisconsin estate planning requires understanding key differences between wills and trusts, especially given the state’s marital property laws and probate…

SimplyTrust EditorialApril 7, 2026

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