Guardianship, wills, and trusts
The 2026 estate planning checklist for married couples: wills, trusts, beneficiary forms, titling, and the documents every household needs.
Get started
Wills and guardians
Wills, guardianship, young families, and naming who handles key roles.
- ★What Is a Will? A Clear Detailed Guide for Understanding
- Durable Power of Attorney Cost, Scope, and When You Need One
- Will vs Living Will Explained Simply for Every Family
- Codicil vs New Will: How to Update Your Will the Right Way
- How to Make a Will in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
- What Does an Executor of a Will Do? Roles and Responsibilities in 2026
1 more guide in this topic.
Trusts
Living trusts, family trusts, revocable trusts, and trust funding.
- ★What Is a Family Trust and How Does It Work in 2026
- At What Net Worth Do You Need a Trust for Estate Planning
- How to Fund a Trust and Move Your Assets In the Right Way
- What Is a Pour-Over Will and How It Completes Your Trust
- Successor Trustee Duties and How to Choose the Right One
- How Dynasty Trusts Keep Family Wealth Across Generations
21 more guides in this topic.
Probate
Probate avoidance, court process, and what happens without a plan.
Estate and gift tax
Estate tax, gift tax, step-up in basis, and inheritance planning.
- ★How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax at Death for Married Couples
- Inherited IRA Rules for Spouses in 2026 and the 10-Year Rule
- Portability vs Credit Shelter Trust for Married Couples
- How Married Couples Claim the Second $15M Estate Tax Exemption
- Wealth Transfer Strategies for High-Income Couples
- How to Avoid Estate Tax: Legal Strategies for Couples
2 more guides in this topic.
Liquidity and access
Keeping cash and assets reachable for heirs: life insurance, beneficiary accounts, and avoiding a cash crunch at death.
- ★Estate Planning Before the Tender Offer: A 2026 Guide for SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic Employees
- Why Your Beneficiary Form Beats Your Will Every Time
- How a GRAT Works Before a Liquidity Event
- Estate Planning for Business Owners: A 2026 Playbook
- After the Tender: How Your Estate Plan and Prenup Should Change in 2026
- How to Structure an Irrevocable Trust Before a Tender Offer or IPO: A 2026 Playbook
1 more guide in this topic.
State-specific estate planning
How estate rules, taxes, and probate differ from state to state.
- ★California Estate Planning in 2026: Prop 19, Probate, and the Revocable Trust
- Massachusetts Estate Tax for Married Couples and the $2M Cliff
- New York Estate Tax Cliff Explained and How to Plan Around It
- New York vs California Estate Planning: Key Differences
- New York Estate Tax Exemption 2026 Thresholds and Planning
- New York Estate Tax Explained: Rates, Exemption & the Cliff
5 more guides in this topic.
Cost and pricing
What estate planning costs and how online plans compare to a lawyer.
- ★How Much Should an Estate Plan Cost in 2026? A Transparent Breakdown
- Are $500 Living Trusts Legit? What Cheap Trusts Leave Out
- How Much Does It Cost to Put Your House in a Trust?
- LegalZoom Trust Cost vs Attorney-Drafted in 2026 Compared
- How Much Does a Trust Cost to Maintain Each Year
- Living Trust Attorney Near Me: What You'll Pay in 2026
15 more guides in this topic.
Couples and family
Estate planning for married couples and families: young children, guardians, and blended families.
- ★Estate Planning for Married Couples With Young Children in 2026
- Durable Power of Attorney Explained for Married Couples
- Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples and Inheritance Rights
- Estate Planning Documents Couples Should Complete Before Kids
- How Couples Choose Guardians for Future Children
- Estate Planning for Blended Families: Protecting Everyone
2 more guides in this topic.