Estate Planning: An Overview
Does the whole idea of "estate planning" seem a little off-putting to you? Many people think it's something that only rich people need to do.
Don't let the legal terminology fool you. Estate planning is simply the process of getting your affairs in order so that you make things easier for your surviving family members when the time comes. It doesn't have to be difficult, expensive, or depressing. All you need to do is take a few simple steps: take a look at what you own, make a will and a few other documents (you can probably do it yourself, without hiring a lawyer), and review the beneficiary designations on your retirement accounts. For the vast majority of Americans, there's no need to worry about estate taxes or fancy trusts.
Estate planning is something you do for your family. Get it done, and you'll feel better knowing that you've taken care of them.
Common Estate Planning Issues
Common Estate Planning Issues
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8 Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan
You’ll likely need to revisit your will or living trust after these major life events.
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12 Simple Steps to an Estate Plan
Take care of your family by making a will, power of attorney, living will, funeral arrangements, and more.
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Moving to a New State? Take a Look at Your Estate Plan
If you move, should you throw out your estate planning documents?
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Putting Strings on What You Leave Your Children
How to protect beneficiaries from themselves.
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Making Gifts as Part of Your Estate Planning
You don't have to wait to give property to those you love--do it now, and you'll see them enjoy it. (You may get a tax break, too.)
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5 Reasons to Make a Will If You Have Children
If you have kids, you need a will.
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Five Myths About Wills and Probate
Most of don't know a lot about the law of wills, trusts, or probate--after all, they're topics none of us really want to deal with.
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Use your estate plan to leave important instructions about your property, children, and health care.
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Self-Settled Asset Protection Trusts
You may be able to protect your property from future liabilities like creditors or legal judgments against you.
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Remote Notarization: How to Notarize Documents Online
More and more states are accommodating notarizations conducted virtually.
Common Estate Planning Situations
Common Estate Planning Situations
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Estate Planning When You're Married to a Noncitizen
If your spouse isn’t a United States citizen, some special legal rules may affect your estate planning.
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Estate Planning for Common Law Marriages
If you're in a common law marriage and something happens to you - what are your partner's rights?
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Estate Planning When You’re Concerned About Dementia
As people live longer lives, they also live healthier ones, for the most part. But with advancing ages comes increased risk of some serious illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease. About half those who live past age 85 will have the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. More than five
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Revising Your Estate Plan After Divorce
If you’re going through the emotional and financial turmoil of a divorce, estate planning may be the last thing on your mind.
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What Happens to My Debts After I Die?
Who's on the hook when a person dies with debts?
Getting Started: What an Estate Plan Looks Like
Getting Started: What an Estate Plan Looks Like
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12 Simple Steps to an Estate Plan
Take care of your family by making a will, power of attorney, living will, funeral arrangements, and more.
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What is the difference between a revocable living trust and a will? And which should you make?
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Survivorship Requirements in Your Estate Plan
A survivorship requirement means that a beneficiary cannot inherit from you unless he or she lives for a certain period of time longer than you do.
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How to Write an Explanatory Letter for Your Will
Leaving an explanatory letter can be a meaningful and safe way to express sentiments that don’t belong in your will. Learn more about
Estate Planning Resources
Estate Planning Resources
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The easy way to make your will and other key estate planning documents.
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A comprehensive guide to estate planning, from the simple to the sophisticated.
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Everything you need to create a legally valid living trust.
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A quick, easy-to-read guide to estate planning
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Gifts That Could Land You in Tax Trouble
Making gifts is great--just don't create a tax problem for yourself or the recipients.
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Reduce Estate Tax by Making Gifts
Making gifts during your life can provide you with tax savings and more.
Working With an Estate Planning or Probate Lawyer
MoreWorking With an Estate Planning or Probate Lawyer
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Making a Will: Are Lawyers Optional?
Most people don't need a lawyer to make their will. Here's why.
More Legal Topics
- Avoiding Family Disputes
- Charitable Gifts and Trusts
- Cryptocurrency and Estate Planning
- DIY Estate Planning
- Estate and Inheritance Taxes
- Estates, Executors & Probate Court
- Financial Powers of Attorney
- Getting Your Affairs in Order
- Intestate Succession
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills & Medical Powers of Attorney
- Pets and Estate Planning
- Ways to Avoid Probate
- Wills
- Avoiding Family Disputes
- Charitable Gifts and Trusts
- Cryptocurrency and Estate Planning
- DIY Estate Planning
- Estate and Inheritance Taxes
- Estates, Executors & Probate Court
- Financial Powers of Attorney
- Getting Your Affairs in Order
- Intestate Succession
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills & Medical Powers of Attorney
- Pets and Estate Planning
- Ways to Avoid Probate
- Wills