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Estate Planning Basics

At some point, everyone needs to give serious thought to their estate plan. Learn about the basics of estate planning and disability planning, including writing a will, setting up a trust, and establishing power of attorney for medical decisions.

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What Does an Executor or Executrix Do in a Probate Proceeding?
What to Know About Dealing with Debts and Mortgages in Probate
Will You Have to Pay Taxes on Your Inheritance?
What Is an Irrevocable Trust?
Easy Ways to Avoid Costly Probate
Probate Judges—What They Are and What They Do
How to Become a Florida Resident in 8 Steps
Differences Between Testamentary and Living Trusts
What Is an Enhanced Life Estate Deed?
Find out How Long You Can Expect Probate Proceedings to Take
How a Spendthrift Trust Can Protect Your Heirs From Themselves
Leave a Little Something to Your Grandchildren With This Advice
What Is Ancillary Probate?
Three Steps to Take When You Want to Contest a Will
Paying Too Much for Property Taxes? Your Age Can Make a Difference
Here's How to Settle a Revocable Trust After the Trustmaker Dies
A Primer on Revocable and Irrevocable Living Trusts—Do You Need One?
Here Are Tips on What to Look For in an Estate Planning Lawyer
Your 6-Step Guide to Making a Personal Budget
Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney Can Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes
Should You Own Property as Joint Tenants With Rights of Survivorship?
The Pros and Cons of Using TOD Accounts to Avoid Probate
How Much Can You Claim for Funeral Expense Deductions?
Wills, Trusts, and Estates Facts You Need to Know
What Is a Life Estate?
Learn What a Successor Trustee Does With Your Trust After You Die
Learn the Difference Between Per Stirpes and Per Capita Distributions
Do You Need a Living Will, a Living Trust, or Both?
Here Are Some Tips on How to Get a Copy of a Deceased Person's Will
Rights You Might Have As Someone's Heir-at-Law
How to Create an Asset Protection Plan to Shield From Creditors
How and When You'll Know If You've Been Named in a Will
Understanding Your Will: What Does "Per Stirpes" Mean?
Significant Trust and Power is Placed In the Fiduciary of Your Estate
Find out If a Revocable Living Trust Is Right for You and How It Works
The Definition of FBO and What It Means in Financial Documents
The Basics of Intestate Heir Law As It Applies to Inheritance
Trusts Are Subject to Different Income Tax Rates
Tenants by the Entirety: Does Your State Recognize This Ownership?
When You Need a Pour-Over Will in Estate Planning
A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Probate Records Online
Joint and POD Accounts Avoid Probate But Aren't Foolproof
The Generation-Skipping Tax and How to Avoid It
4 Legal Grounds for Contesting a Will
What Are the Responsibilities of a Power of Attorney After a Death?
How Filial Responsibility Impacts Your Parents' Medical Bills
Avoid Probate With a Payable on Death (POD) Account
What Are the Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust vs. a Will?
What is a Last Will and Testament?
Are Life Insurance Death Benefits Subject to Estate Tax?
Who Needs to Pay Federal Estate Taxes?
Learn About the Different Types of Trustees and What They Do
Do You Need a Revocable Living Trust or Only a Will?
Trust Fund Options for Paying Adult Beneficiaries Their Inheritances
What Happens When a Beneficiary Predeceases the Person Making the Will?
Why You or a Loved One Need to Hire an Elder Law Attorney
What Is Community Property?
Learn the Differences Between Revocable and Irrevocable Living Trusts
How Will Probate Affect Your Tenants-in-Common Property?
The Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Becoming a Florida Resident
What Is a Grantor Trust?
Types of Property Ownership
Is Writing Your Own Will a Good Idea?
Executors Are Entitled to Payment for Services, But How Much?

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Achieve Your Financial Goals in 2020
Financial Self-Care Checklist
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