Estate Planning Center

Welcome to FindLaw's Estate Planning Center. Here you will find information on the legal steps you can take to ensure that your property and health care wishes are honored, and that loved ones are provided for in your absence. Get detailed information on wills, trusts, health directives, living wills, the probate system, as well as practical guidance on estate tax issues.

Learn About Estate Planning

Estate Planning Basics - Information to help you understand the basics of estate planning and what happens if you die without a will. Includes an estate planning checklist and a primer on choosing an executor.

Wills - Everything you need to know about wills, including information about challenging a will, when to change a will, inheritance law, living wills and how an estate attorney can help.

Trusts - Resources for understanding and creating trusts, including charitable trusts, choosing a trustee and why you may want to call a living trust lawyer.

Living Wills - How a living will or health care power of attorney can help you express your health care and end-of-life decisions before it's too late, including sample documents.

Probate Basics - Overview of probate law -- the probate process and its relevance to estate planning.

Estate Administration - How a person's estate is collected and managed after death. Estate administration includes the gathering of assets, payment of debts and distribution of assets.

Estate Planning Forms - Find estate planning forms such as sample wills, living wills and health care power of attorney, including state specific packages.

Additional Resources - Information about additional topics related to estate planning, wills and trusts; including resources on funeral planning, life insurance and more.

Ensure your estate goes
to your loved ones

Estate and will forms can save time and legal fees:

Estate Planning Resources

Helpful tools and forms available for purchase.

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Estate Planning and Probate

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Articles by attorneys

Estates and Probate

Take Advantage of Current Gift Tax Exemptions
Provided by Leland, Parachini, Steinberg, Matzger & Melnick LLP
New Jersey Health Care Directives and Graduating Seniors
Provided by Kirsch Gartenberg & Howard
Florida Amends Law Regarding Probate Administration Notice
Provided by Bryant Law Firm
Using Lifetime Gifts to Shift Assets Out of Estates
Provided by Polizzotto & Polizzotto
Making Vital Choices: Understanding Powers of Attorney Under Florida Law
Provided by Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A.
Planning for Your Golden Years
Provided by Morris, Hall & Kinghorn, P.L.L.C.
The Importance of Business Succession Planning
Provided by Cushing & Dolan P.C.
Shrinking Estate Taxes: Changing the Face of Estate Planning
Provided by Gorman & Jones, PLC
Plan Ahead to Minimize Your Estate Tax Burden in New York
Provided by Connors & Sullivan, P.C.
10 Reasons to Create Special Needs Trusts
Provided by Gemma Law Office, P.C.

	Wills Preparing a Will, Changing a Will, Challenging a Will, More...		Living Wills How Living Will Works, Health Care Directives, Sample Living Will, More...
	Trusts How Trusts Work, Living Trusts, Trusts and Taxes, More...		Estate Tax Estate Tax FAQ, Reducing Estate Tax, Gifts and Estate Tax, More...
	Probate How Probate Works, Avoiding Probate, IRAs to Avoid Probate, More...		Get Estate Planning Help Why Use a Lawyer?, Find an Estate Planning Lawyer, More...

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