Straight answers to the questions families ask most — attorney costs, wills vs. trusts, probate timelines, Medicaid planning, and guardianship.
You don't always need a lawyer for probate — simple, uncontested estates can sometimes be handled alone, but complex or contested ones usually call for one. Here's how to decide.
Learn what happens when someone dies without a will, how intestate succession distributes assets, why the rules vary by state, and how to avoid the uncertainty.
Elder law and estate planning overlap but solve different problems. Learn which attorney you need for Medicaid, long-term care, guardianship, or passing on assets.
Donating a loved one's belongings during an estate cleanout can be tax-deductible. Learn what qualifies, how to value items, and the receipts you need.
A plain-English estate planning checklist covering the will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive, and beneficiary designations every adult should have.
Blended families face estate planning challenges a basic will can't solve. Here's how to provide for a current spouse and children from a prior relationship, and the tools that help. Laws vary by state.
For parents, estate planning is mostly about naming a guardian and providing for your kids if something happens. Here's the key documents every parent of minors should have.
Estate tax is paid by the estate before assets pass on; inheritance tax is paid by the person who inherits. Here's how the two differ, who owes them, and why most estates owe neither.
Named executor of an estate? A step-by-step checklist of an executor's legal duties, from securing assets to final distribution — and how to avoid liability.
Most people never actually pay gift tax, thanks to the annual exclusion and lifetime exemption. Here's how gift tax really works, what counts as a gift, and how it ties into estate planning.
What a living trust costs in 2026, why it costs more than a will, what's included, and why funding the trust matters. Costs and rules vary by state.
A clear 2026 guide to what a will costs — simple vs. complex, attorney-drafted vs. DIY, what's included, and why prices vary by state and situation.
A clear 2026 overview of what estate planning costs — from a simple will to a full trust-based plan — what drives the price, and how flat fees compare to hourly billing.
Probate costs vary by state and estate size, typically running 3-7% of the estate between court fees, attorney fees, and executor costs. Here's what drives the cost and how to reduce it.
A plain-English guide to avoiding probate — living trusts, beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and TOD/POD accounts, with the pros and cons of each.
Naming a guardian in your will decides who raises your children if you can't. Here's how to choose the right person, name a backup, and avoid the common mistakes. Guardianship rules vary by state.
How to choose an estate planning attorney, including credentials, elder-law certification, questions to ask, common fee structures, and red flags to avoid.
You can only contest a will on specific legal grounds — like lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud, or improper signing — and only if you have standing. Here's how it works.
Beneficiary designations on accounts often override your will. Here's how to name beneficiaries correctly, the common mistakes that derail estate plans, and why to keep them updated.
A plain-English walkthrough of settling an estate — from locating the will and opening probate to paying debts, filing taxes, and distributing assets. Steps and rules vary by state.
Understand living wills, advance directives, and healthcare proxies — what each does and how they work together to protect your medical wishes. Laws vary by state.
Understand the Medicaid look-back period, why gifting assets matters, the common five-year framing, and why planning ahead can make a real difference.
Will Medicaid take the house to pay for nursing care? A plain guide to the home exemption, the 5-year look-back, and estate recovery for families.
Nursing home care can cost thousands a month. Here's what long-term care actually costs and the real ways to pay — Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and personal funds. Rules vary by state.
How long probate takes, step by step — from filing the will to distributing assets. What makes probate fast, what drags it out, and how to keep it moving.
Compare revocable and irrevocable trusts on control, taxes, asset protection, and Medicaid planning, so you understand which fits common estate planning goals.
Should you sell an inherited house as-is or fix it up first? A guide to the stepped-up basis, capital gains, cash buyers, and clearing the home for sale.
A family guide to senior downsizing: starting the conversation, sorting a lifetime of belongings, hiring help, and handling the home after the move.
How a special needs trust protects SSI and Medicaid eligibility, the difference between first- and third-party trusts, and what the trustee's role involves.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed lets your home pass to a named beneficiary without probate, while you keep full control during your life. Here's how it works, its limits, and where it's allowed. State rules vary.
Email, photos, social media, crypto, and online accounts need a plan too. Here's how digital assets are handled after death and how to include them in your estate plan.
A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust can shield assets from long-term care costs while preserving Medicaid eligibility. Here's how a MAPT works, its trade-offs, and the five-year timing rule. Rules vary by state.
A plain-English guide to powers of attorney — financial, medical, durable, and springing — why you might need one, and what they cost. Laws vary by state.
Elder law covers long-term care, Medicaid, guardianship, and elder abuse. Learn what elder law attorneys do and how it differs from estate planning.
Understand the difference between guardianship and conservatorship, when a court appoints one, how the process works, and alternatives like powers of attorney.
A plain-English guide to probate — what it is, how the process works, how long it takes, what it costs, and when it's needed. Probate laws vary by state.
How to handle a loved one's sentimental belongings without keeping everything or regretting what you let go. A gentle, practical method for families.
Not every estate needs a lawyer. A clear guide to when to hire an estate or probate attorney, what they cost, and when a small-estate affidavit is enough.
An estate plan isn't set-and-forget. Here are the life events and time intervals that should trigger a review of your will, trust, and beneficiary designations. Rules vary by state.
A plain-English comparison of wills and living trusts — probate, cost, privacy, and control — to help you understand how each works. Laws vary by state.