Author: michal

Montana charges no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so most families only need to plan around the federal estate tax, which applies above $15 million per person in 2026. Montana also offers a transfer-on-death deed, a simple way to pass real estate directly to a beneficiary without probate. A complete Montana estate plan…

Alabama charges no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so most families only need to think about the federal estate tax, which applies above $15 million per person in 2026. A valid Alabama will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by at least two people. A complete Alabama estate plan…

Missouri has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so beneficiaries owe nothing to the state. Estates valued at 40,000 dollars or less, after debts and liens, can often skip full probate using a small estate affidavit under RSMo 473.097. A will still needs to be signed and witnessed by two people under RSMo…

Mississippi has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so beneficiaries owe nothing to the state on what they receive. A valid will requires the testator to be at least 18, of sound mind, and generally signed and witnessed by two credible people under Mississippi Code section 91-5-1. Whether you have lived in the…

Minnesota taxes estates worth more than 3,000,000 dollars, at rates from 13 to 16 percent on the amount above that threshold, and unlike the federal system, a deceased spouse’s unused exemption does not carry over to the survivor. A will still needs proper signatures and witnesses, and smaller estates may qualify for a simplified affidavit…

Michigan has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so your heirs owe nothing to the state on what they receive. A valid will must be in writing, signed, and witnessed by two people under MCL 700.2502, though Michigan also recognizes handwritten wills without witnesses under certain conditions. Without a will, Michigan’s intestacy statute…

Massachusetts taxes estates above 2,000,000 dollars, a threshold that was raised from 1,000,000 dollars for deaths on or after January 1, 2023. Above that amount, tax is owed only on the portion exceeding the exemption, not the entire estate. A will still needs two witnesses, and small estates may qualify for a simplified Voluntary Administration…

Maryland is the only state that imposes both a state estate tax and a separate inheritance tax, so the same estate can face two different Maryland taxes depending on its size and who inherits. The estate tax exemption is 5 million dollars, and the inheritance tax is 10 percent for beneficiaries who are not close…

Maine imposes a state estate tax, but only above a multimillion-dollar exclusion amount that adjusts most years. For 2026, Maine Revenue Services lists the exclusion at 7,160,000 dollars, so most Maine estates owe no state estate tax. A valid will still needs two witnesses, and Maine offers both informal and formal probate. Whether you have…

Louisiana is the only civil law state in the country, and its forced heirship rule under Civil Code Article 1493 can require you to leave a share of your estate to young or disabled children regardless of what your will says. Louisiana also recognizes two will formats, notarial and olographic, each with different signing rules.…