Free Articles and Guides on Estate Planning

Free, easy-to-understand articles and guides on estate planning, wills, and protecting your family without spending thousands on lawyer fees.

Wills and Estate Planning

What is a Last Will and Testament? (A Plain English Guide for Beginners)

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of "estate planning," you are not alone. The legal industry uses big words to make the process sound incredibly complicated, but at its core, it is actually very simple.

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

Will vs. Living Trust: What is the Difference and Which Do I Need?

If you have started researching estate planning, you have probably run into the great debate: Should you get a simple Will, or do you need a Living Trust?

Read Article
State Laws and Requirements

Why a "Generic" Free Will Might Be Invalid (How State Laws Differ)

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to save money on a will is downloading a free, generic PDF template from Google. What they don't realize is that "generic" often means "legally invalid."

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

What is a Power of Attorney? (Financial vs. Medical Explained)

When people think about estate planning, they usually focus entirely on what happens after they pass away. But what happens if you don't die, but instead suffer a stroke, a severe brain injury, or advanced dementia?

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

What is a Living Will? (Hint: It Has Nothing to Do With Your Property)

The legal industry is notorious for giving two completely different documents almost the exact same name. The biggest source of confusion for beginners is the difference between a "Last Will" and a "Living Will."

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

What is a Beneficiary? How to Choose Who Gets Your Assets

Legal terminology has a way of making simple concepts sound incredibly intimidating. If you are creating a Last Will and Testament, the most common legal word you will encounter is "Beneficiary."

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

The 4 Essential Estate Planning Documents (Explained in Plain English)

Estate planning is an industry famous for using confusing jargon to justify expensive hourly fees. But the truth is, protecting your family usually boils down to just four basic documents.

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

The Estate Planning "Jargon Buster" (Legal Speak Translated to Plain English)

The legal industry has a secret: they use confusing, outdated Latin words to make estate planning sound incredibly complicated. Why? Because if you are confused, you are more likely to pay their $1,500 retainer fee.

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

I'm Not Rich. Do I Still Need a Will?

If you think you don't have enough money to need a Last Will and Testament, you can blame the legal industry. For decades, they have used the term "Estate Planning," which makes people picture massive mansions, trust funds, and yachts.

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

What Happens If You Die Without a Will?

Nearly 60% of Americans currently do not have a will. Many assume that if they pass away, their spouse or children will automatically figure things out and split their belongings fairly. Unfortunately, the law doesn't work that way.

Read Article
State Laws and Requirements

What Exactly is Probate? (And Why Everyone Wants to Avoid It)

If you have ever talked to someone who recently lost a family member, you have probably heard the word "probate" whispered with a heavy sigh. It is the legal process that everyone warns you about, but very few people actually understand.

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

The Pet Trust: What Happens to Your Dog or Cat When You Pass Away?

For millions of Americans, pets are not just animals - they are family. But under the eyes of the law, your beloved dog or cat is treated exactly the same as your television or your living room sofa: as property.

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

How to Choose a Legal Guardian for Your Children

When most people hear the words "estate planning," they immediately think of dividing up bank accounts and real estate. But if you are a parent, the most critical part of your will has absolutely nothing to do with money.

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

How Often Should You Update Your Will? (The 5 Major Life Events)

One of the most dangerous myths about estate planning is the "set it and forget it" mindset. Many people think that once they sign a Last Will and Testament, they can lock it in a drawer for 40 years and never think about it again.

Read Article
State Laws and Requirements

How Many People Do I Need to Witness My Will? (The Signing Rules)

You can spend hours carefully drafting the perfect Last Will and Testament, perfectly dividing your assets and naming the best guardian for your children. But if you sign that document alone at your kitchen table, a judge will throw it in the trash.

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

5 Reasons You Need a Will (Even If You Don't Have Much Money)

One of the biggest myths in the legal world is that estate planning is only for the ultra-wealthy. In reality, everyday, hardworking people actually need wills more than anyone else.

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

5 Common Mistakes People Make When Writing a Will

Creating a Last Will and Testament is the ultimate act of love and protection for your family. But making a legal plan is only half the battle; making sure it is done correctly is what actually keeps your family out of court.

Read Article
State Laws and Requirements

Does My Will Have to Be Notarized to Be Legal?

If you are creating your own estate plan, you are probably hyper-focused on making sure every single detail is legally valid. You don't want a judge to throw out your Last Will and Testament over a simple paperwork error.

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

Can I Change My Mind and Update My Will Later?

One of the biggest reasons people procrastinate on writing a will is the fear of making a permanent mistake. They think, "What if I change my mind about who gets the house? What if my sister isn't the right guardian for my kids in five years?"

Read Article
Protecting Your Family

At What Age Should You Write Your First Will?

If you ask the average person when they plan to write a will, they usually give a vague answer like, "When I'm older," or "When I retire." The truth is, waiting until you have gray hair to start estate planning is one of the most dangerous legal mistakes you can make.

Read Article
Wills and Estate Planning

Who Should I Choose to Be the Executor of My Will?

One of the most frequent questions people ask when starting their estate plan is: "Who should I choose to be the Executor of my will?" It is a massive decision, as this person will be personally responsible for handling your final affairs.

Read Article

Browse More Articles and Guides by Category

Find exactly what you need by exploring our categorized guides.

Wills and Estate Planning

State Laws and Requirements

Protecting Your Family

Ready to protect your family?

Select your state below to download a legally-binding, state-specific Last Will and Testament for just $49.95.

★★★★★
4.9/5 Average Rating from 2,000+ Families
  • State-Specific Document
  • Instant Download
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
🔒 Secure Checkout | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Jurisdiction Action
AlabamaBuy Now
AlaskaBuy Now
ArizonaBuy Now
ArkansasBuy Now
CaliforniaBuy Now
ColoradoBuy Now
ConnecticutBuy Now
DelawareBuy Now
District of ColumbiaBuy Now
FloridaBuy Now
GeorgiaBuy Now
HawaiiBuy Now
IdahoBuy Now
IllinoisBuy Now
IndianaBuy Now
IowaBuy Now
KansasBuy Now
KentuckyBuy Now
LouisianaSoon
MaineBuy Now
MarylandBuy Now
MassachusettsBuy Now
MichiganBuy Now
MinnesotaBuy Now
MississippiBuy Now
MissouriBuy Now
MontanaBuy Now
NebraskaBuy Now
NevadaBuy Now
New HampshireBuy Now
New JerseyBuy Now
New MexicoBuy Now
New YorkBuy Now
North CarolinaSoon
North DakotaBuy Now
OhioBuy Now
OklahomaBuy Now
OregonBuy Now
PennsylvaniaBuy Now
Rhode IslandBuy Now
South CarolinaBuy Now
South DakotaBuy Now
TennesseeBuy Now
TexasBuy Now
UtahBuy Now
VermontBuy Now
VirginiaBuy Now
WashingtonBuy Now
West VirginiaBuy Now
WisconsinBuy Now
WyomingBuy Now

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If you are not completely satisfied with your document, contact us within 30 days for a full, no-questions-asked refund.

Securely Pay With
Visa Mastercard American Express Discover Apple Pay Google Pay
Get Your Will - $49.95