Estate Planning

Have you thought about the end of your life and how to handle your assets after you’re gone? Estate planning covers a wide range of important topics, including financial power of attorney, health care proxy, beneficiaries, probate, wills, trusts, executors and estate and inheritance taxes.

Adult daughter hugging her mother while they cook together and discuss a prepaid funeral

What is a Prepaid Funeral?

Prepaid funerals are financial arrangements allowing individuals to plan and pay for their funeral services in advance. This proactive approach helps reduce the burden on loved ones during a time of grief, ensuring wishes are honored without added financial stress.

Elderly couple speaking with a financial professional about what the different types of trusts are

What Are the Different Types of Trusts?

There are different types of trusts, and each has its own rules and benefits. Here's what to consider.

5 Considerations When Leaving Money to Grandchildren

Leaving your grandchild an inheritance can require some careful planning, including how much you want to give and what the tax consequences could be.

A mature couple discusses their living trust while cooking dinner

What Is a Living Trust?

If you're looking for an alternative to a will, a living trust may be an option to consider.

volunteers take donations on a sunny day in a park and discuss financial advantages of a charitable trust

What Is a Charitable Trust?

A Charitable Trust is a way to set up your assets to benefit you, your beneficiaries, and a charity — all at the same time. A charitable trust could offer many financial advantages for philanthropically minded individuals with nonessential assets, such as stocks or real estate.

elderly father walks with his adult son down a path at sunset as they discuss estate executor duties

What Does an Estate Executor Do?

Has a loved one named you as an estate executor? Explore the fundamentals of this critical role, and learn why estate planning is so important.

Estate Planning for Parents: How I Helped My Parents With Their Legacy

Estate planning for parents is a touchy — but important — subject. Here's how one woman helped her parents plan for tomorrow.

A multi-generational family in the woods after discussing what to do with an inheritance

What to Do With an Inheritance: A 6-Step Checklist

Financial planning can be challenging after you receive an inheritance. Here are some key considerations to help you get started.

Senior couple riding a bike on a sunny day

Will vs. Trust: How Are They Different & Do You Need Both?

A will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets will be distributed after their death, while a trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee manages assets for the benefit of beneficiaries, with greater flexibility and potential tax benefits than a will.

Husband and wife enjoying coffee at home discussing a health care proxy vs. power of attorney

What's the Difference Between a Health Care Proxy vs. Power of Attorney?

A health care proxy and a power of attorney have different responsibilities and there are a few reasons why you may want to have both.

Senior woman leaning on a fence, looking out over a field and wondering is probate necessary

Is Probate Necessary for All Wills?

Here are some of the factors that determine whether it's necessary for a will to go through probate.

Mother and grandmother holding a baby outside and talking about what a spendthrift trust is

What Is a Spendthrift Trust?

A spendthrift trust might help protect an inheritance from overspending and creditors.

What Happens If I Die Without a Will?

If you don't have a will, here are some of the common ways your assets may be distributed without your written instructions.

Multiple generations sitting on a couch discussing estate tax vs. inheritance tax

What's the Difference Between Estate Tax & Inheritance Tax?

Estate tax is paid by the deceased person's estate on the net value of their assets, while inheritance tax is paid by beneficiaries on the assets they receive from the estate, with estate taxes going to the government and inheritance taxes going to state governments (in certain states).

What Happens to Debt After Death?

Understanding what happens to debt after you die may help you put together a better estate plan for your loved ones.

Estate Planning for Pets

What should pet parents know about estate planning for their pets?

daughter and older mother drinking coffee after researching a will

What Is a Will? Why It's Important & Where to Start

A legal will, which must follow certain rules to be binding, is a document that states your final wishes for your money, property and any people under your care after you die.

happy older woman gardening after researching power of attorney

Understanding Power of Attorney

A power of attorney document could be a good way to help protect yourself from uncertainty. Here is some information on this documentation.

The Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax: What You Should Know

The generation-skipping transfer tax was created by Congress in 1976 to close a loophole that allowed individuals to avoid estate taxes. The tax applies to assets given to grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or any younger recipient that bypasses one generation and could trigger a tax liability even for establishing a trust.

group of volunteers lined up arm-in-arm do charity work and take pride in their charitable giving

Want to Maximize Your Charitable Giving Impact? Consider These Strategies

Charitable giving could be beneficial to your mental — and financial — well-being. Learn more about the strategies available to help.