Straight answers to the questions families ask most — attorney costs, wills vs. trusts, probate timelines, Medicaid planning, and guardianship.
Learn what happens when someone dies without a will, how intestate succession distributes assets, why the rules vary by state, and how to avoid the uncertainty.
Elder law and estate planning overlap but solve different problems. Learn which attorney you need for Medicaid, long-term care, guardianship, or passing on assets.
Donating a loved one's belongings during an estate cleanout can be tax-deductible. Learn what qualifies, how to value items, and the receipts you need.
A plain-English estate planning checklist covering the will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive, and beneficiary designations every adult should have.
Named executor of an estate? A step-by-step checklist of an executor's legal duties, from securing assets to final distribution — and how to avoid liability.
What a living trust costs in 2026, why it costs more than a will, what's included, and why funding the trust matters. Costs and rules vary by state.
A clear 2026 guide to what a will costs — simple vs. complex, attorney-drafted vs. DIY, what's included, and why prices vary by state and situation.
A plain-English guide to avoiding probate — living trusts, beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and TOD/POD accounts, with the pros and cons of each.
How to choose an estate planning attorney, including credentials, elder-law certification, questions to ask, common fee structures, and red flags to avoid.
Understand living wills, advance directives, and healthcare proxies — what each does and how they work together to protect your medical wishes. Laws vary by state.
Understand the Medicaid look-back period, why gifting assets matters, the common five-year framing, and why planning ahead can make a real difference.
Will Medicaid take the house to pay for nursing care? A plain guide to the home exemption, the 5-year look-back, and estate recovery for families.
How long probate takes, step by step — from filing the will to distributing assets. What makes probate fast, what drags it out, and how to keep it moving.
Compare revocable and irrevocable trusts on control, taxes, asset protection, and Medicaid planning, so you understand which fits common estate planning goals.
Should you sell an inherited house as-is or fix it up first? A guide to the stepped-up basis, capital gains, cash buyers, and clearing the home for sale.
A family guide to senior downsizing: starting the conversation, sorting a lifetime of belongings, hiring help, and handling the home after the move.
How a special needs trust protects SSI and Medicaid eligibility, the difference between first- and third-party trusts, and what the trustee's role involves.
A plain-English guide to powers of attorney — financial, medical, durable, and springing — why you might need one, and what they cost. Laws vary by state.
Elder law covers long-term care, Medicaid, guardianship, and elder abuse. Learn what elder law attorneys do and how it differs from estate planning.
Understand the difference between guardianship and conservatorship, when a court appoints one, how the process works, and alternatives like powers of attorney.
A plain-English guide to probate — what it is, how the process works, how long it takes, what it costs, and when it's needed. Probate laws vary by state.
How to handle a loved one's sentimental belongings without keeping everything or regretting what you let go. A gentle, practical method for families.
Not every estate needs a lawyer. A clear guide to when to hire an estate or probate attorney, what they cost, and when a small-estate affidavit is enough.
A plain-English comparison of wills and living trusts — probate, cost, privacy, and control — to help you understand how each works. Laws vary by state.