Category: Estate Planning

Idaho charges no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so most residents only need to think about the federal estate tax, which applies above $15 million per person in 2026. Idaho is also a community property state, which changes how assets are owned and inherited between spouses. A solid Idaho estate plan usually includes…

Georgia 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 Georgia will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and attested and subscribed by two competent witnesses. A solid Georgia estate…

Estate planning in Florida means putting a will, healthcare directives, and often a power of attorney or trust in place so your assets and medical care follow your wishes instead of a court’s default rules. Florida’s homestead protections, retirement-heavy population, and specific witness and notarization requirements make the state’s rules worth understanding before you start.…

Estate planning is the process of organizing your assets and legal documents so they transfer smoothly when you die or become incapacitated. It includes a will, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and sometimes a trust, and it minimizes taxes, avoids unnecessary legal delays, and gives your family clarity. Many people put off estate…

Delaware charges no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, and its probate process is generally faster and less expensive than in many other states. A valid Delaware will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and attested by two credible witnesses in the testator’s presence. Delaware is also known nationally for its trust-friendly…

Connecticut is one of a small number of states that charges its own estate tax, on top of the federal estate tax, currently applying to estates above $15 million per person. A valid Connecticut will must be signed by the testator and attested by two witnesses, each signing in the testator’s presence. Because Connecticut has…

Colorado 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. Colorado also offers a will execution option most states do not: acknowledging your signature before a notary instead of using witnesses. A complete Colorado…

California has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so the main tax question for most residents is the federal estate tax, which only applies above $15 million per person in 2026. A valid California will must be signed by the testator and by two witnesses present at the same time, or it can…

Arizona charges no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so only very large estates face any tax exposure, and only at the federal level. A valid Arizona will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and signed by two witnesses who are not beneficiaries of that document. Arizona repealed its state estate tax…

Arkansas imposes no state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so most families only need to plan around the federal estate tax, which affects estates above $15 million in 2026. A valid Arkansas will must be signed by the testator and by two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. An Arkansas estate plan…