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.
Image shows three people, a younger man and woman, and an older man. Text reads: "Two basic types of trusts. Revocable: plan for the mental disability and avoid probate of the assets that the trustmaker funds into trusts. Trust creator can name someone else to take over management of the trust should s/he become mentally incapacitated. Trustmaker reserves the right to dissolve the change of the trust at any time. Irrevocable: move assets out of the trustmaker's name and control to eventually transfer to the next generation for their use and enjoyment; Trustmaker cannot take property back"
A Primer on Revocable and Irrevocable Living Trusts—Do You Need One?
Woman signing will
Understanding Your Will: What Does "Per Stirpes" Mean?
Couple talking to lawyer
What is a Last Will and Testament?
A woman looks at her deceased parent’s debts while speaking on the phone with a probate attorney.
What to Know About Dealing with Debts and Mortgages in Probate
a businessman meeting with a client
Here Are Tips on What to Look For in an Estate Planning Attorney
Alphabet blocks spelling the word "trust"
Significant Trust and Power is Placed In the Fiduciary of Your Estate
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Are Life Insurance Death Benefits Subject to Estate Tax?
Your inheritance may be affected by an inheritance tax (property), capital gains tax (proceeds from sale of inherited property), or an estate tax (tax on property value) Only six states collect inheritance taxes No need to report an inheritance on taxes, but some properties come with tax consequences Capital gains tax affects the difference between the value of an asset and the amount you sell it for Consult with an estate planning attorney if you’re unsure about how taxes will affect your inheritance
Will You Have to Pay Taxes on Your Inheritance?
Image shows a desk covered in documents, a laptop, a notebook, and a calculator. Text reads: "How to make a personal budget: step 1: gather all financial statements. step 2: calculate your income. step 3: create a list of monthly expenses. step 4: determine fixed and variable expenses. step 5: total your monthly income and expenses. step 6: make adjustments to expenses."
Your 6-Step Guide to Making a Personal Budget
Information Needed to Make a Living Trust
Find out If a Revocable Living Trust Is Right for You and How It Works
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Who Needs to Pay Federal Estate Taxes?
Family meeting with Insurance Agent.
What Is an Irrevocable Trust?
Last will and testament on yellowish paper with wooden judge gavel; document is mock-up
Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney Can Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes
Grandparents smile at their infant grandchild.
What Is FBO?
Financial advisor trustee meeting with couple
What Is a Trustee?
judge banging a gavel in a probate courtroom
Easy Ways to Avoid Costly Probate
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Should You Own Property as Joint Tenants With Rights of Survivorship?
the words "Last Will and Testament" printed on typing paper
The Basics of Intestate Heir Law As It Applies to Inheritance
Signing a Last Will and Testament
Do You Need a Revocable Living Trust or Only a Will?
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Probate Judges—What They Are and What They Do
Flatline cardiogram and stethoscope over background of a $100 bill, representing the assets of a deceased individual
The Pros and Cons of Using TOD Accounts to Avoid Probate
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Trusts Are Subject to Different Income Tax Rates
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Trust Fund Options for Paying Adult Beneficiaries Their Inheritances
How to Become an Official Florida Resident: File a Florida Declaration of Domicile. Get a Florida driver’s license. Register your car. Register to vote. Open local bank accounts. Notify tax officials. Apply for the Florida homestead exemption. Update your estate plan.
How to Become a Florida Resident in 8 Steps
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How Much Can You Claim for Funeral Expense Deductions?
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Tenants by the Entirety: Does Your State Recognize This Ownership?
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What Happens When a Beneficiary Predeceases the Person Making the Will?
Custom illustration showing testamentary vs. living trusts
Differences Between Testamentary and Living Trusts
Closeup of a woman's hands signing a last will and testament
Wills, Trusts, and Estates: Facts You Need to Know
A Couple Meeting With Lawyer discussing a pour-over will.
When You Need a Pour-Over Will in Estate Planning
A senior couple at home using a computer.
Why You or a Loved One Need to Hire an Elder Law Attorney
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What Is an Enhanced Life Estate Deed?
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What Is a Life Estate?
4 steps for requesting online probate court records. Appear in person and ask for a copy of the will or other probate documents. If going in person is not possible, write a request and send by fax or mail. Pay the appropriate copying fee. Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope if the request isn’t made in person
A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Probate Records Online
Newlyweds holding hands
What Is Community Property?
Older couple signing papers with younger attorney
Find out How Long You Can Expect Probate Proceedings to Take
Living Trust and Estate Planning Documents
Learn What a Successor Trustee Does With Your Trust After You Die
Mature couple meeting with a financial advisor in a casual white office
Joint and POD Accounts Avoid Probate But Aren't Foolproof
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Learn the Differences Between Revocable and Irrevocable Living Trusts
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How a Spendthrift Trust Can Protect Your Heirs From Themselves
Mature woman hugs her two dogs in the mountains
What Is a Pet Trust?
Woman advising old man on paperwork
Learn the Difference Between Per Stirpes and Per Capita Distributions
Grandfather and granddaughter
The Generation-Skipping Tax and How to Avoid It
Senior woman and lawyers reviewing paperwork at a dining room table
How Will Probate Affect Your Tenants-in-Common Property?
Multi-generation family blowing bubbles on summer porch
Leave a Little Something to Your Grandchildren With This Advice
Couple discussing a living will with an estate attorney
Do You Need a Living Will, a Living Trust, or Both?
Last Will and Testament
4 Legal Grounds for Contesting a Will
Top Reasons to Move to Florida. No individual income tax. No State Estate (Death) Tax. Offers many asset protection benefits. Property tax benefits for primary residences. Home to many top wealth strategists
The Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Becoming a Florida Resident
Mourners gathered at a funeral
What Is Ancillary Probate?
Here Are Some Tips on How to Get a Copy of a Deceased Person's Will
POWER OF ATTORNEY
What Are the Responsibilities of a Power of Attorney After a Death?
Elderly couple reviewing papers on sofa
What Is a Grantor Trust?
A blank will form that will need to be completed in full to avoid future contests to it.
3 Steps to Take When You Want to Contest a Will
Senior couple looking over paperwork at their computer
Rights You Might Have As Someone's Heir-at-Law
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How Filial Responsibility Impacts Your Parents' Medical Bills
keys to home with budget sheet and calculator
Types of Property Ownership
Laughing older couple seated on the porch of their home, overlooking waterway
Paying Too Much for Property Taxes? Your Age Can Make a Difference
Man holding an umbrella over a stack of coins to give protection of assets from rain
How to Create an Asset Protection Plan to Shield From Creditors
Person signing paperwork in regards to a bank account
Avoid Probate With a Payable on Death (POD) Account
Woman helping older couple with documents
Is Writing Your Own Will a Good Idea?
 
 
 
 
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