Learn About Wills, Trusts, and More
By Julie Garber, About.com Guide to Wills & Estate Planning
Estate planning is about getting the right legal documents in place to plan for the possibility of mental incapacity and inevitable death. Learn all about the essential estate planning documents, including Last Will and Testaments, Revocable Living Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, and more.
- All About Last Will and Testaments
- Overview of Revocable Living Trusts
- How to Fund a Revocable Living Trust
- Overview of Irrevocable Trusts
All About Last Will and Testaments
A Last Will and Testament is an essential part of every estate plan, so understanding what a will is and what it does is the key to understanding your estate plan.
- What is a Last Will and Testament?
- What Happens Without a Last Will and Testament?
- What is a Pour Over Will?
- Should You Write Your Own Will?
- Is Your Last Will and Testament Valid?
- Will Your Last Will and Testament Work in All 50 States?
- What Are the Grounds for Contesting a Will?
- Who Gets a Copy of a Will After the Testator Dies?
- How Do You Make Changes to Your Will?
Overview of Revocable Living Trusts
Revocable Living Trusts have become a part of everyday estate planning. Learn what they are and if you need one.
- What is a Trust?
- What is a Revocable Living Trust?
- Wills vs. Revocable Living Trusts - What Do You Need?
- What's the Difference Between a Living Will and a Living Trust?
- How Does a Revocable Living Trust Avoid Probate?
- Pros and Cons of Revocable Living Trusts
- What Are the Benefits of a Trust vs. a Will?
- Revocable Trust Myths
- How Do You Make Changes to Your Revocable Living Trust?
- What is a Trust Amendment and a Trust Restatement?
How to Fund a Revocable Living Trust
A Revocable Living Trust is only as good as the assets that have been funded into it. Learn what it means to fund a trust and how to fund specific types of assets into your trust.
- What Does it Mean to Fund a Trust?
- What Are the Procedures for Funding a Trust?
- What Types of Assets Can Go Into a Revocable Living Trust?
- What Types of Assets Can't Go Into a Revocable Living Trust?
- What Happens to Assets Left Out of Your Trust?
- How to Fund Bank and Investment Accounts into a Trust
- How to Fund Real Estate into a Trust
- How to Fund Personal Effects into a Trust
- How to Update the Beneficiaries of Life Insurance
- How to Update the Beneficiaries of IRAs and 401ks
- How to Update the Beneficiaries of Health and Medical Savings Accounts
Overview of Irrevocable Trusts
Irrevocable Trusts have become an essential part of many estate plans. Learn what an irrevocable trust is and if you should consider one as part of your estate plan.
- What is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust?
- How to Fund an Irrevocable Trust
- How to Fund an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
Other Types of Trusts
There are a variety of other trusts that you may want to consider when planning your estate. Learn about them here.
- Overview of Advanced Trusts
- What is an IRA Trust?
- What Are the Benefits of an IRA Trust?
- What is a Qualified Personal Residence Trust?
- How Does a Qualified Personal Residence Trust Work?
- What is a Build Up Equity Retirement Trust?
- What is a Charitable Remainder Trust?
- What is a Charitable Lead Trust?
- What is a Generation Skipping or Dynasty Trust?
- What is a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)?
Health Care Directives
A Health Care Directive, also called an Advance Medical Directive, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, or Medical Power of Attorney, and a Living Will are essential documents to plan for the possibility of mental incapacity and to give guidance to your loved ones and doctors if you are injured or become terminally ill.
- What is an Advance Medical Directive?
- Is Your Advance Medical Directive Valid?
- What is a Living Will?
- How to Choose a Health Care Agent
- How to Plan for Medical Emergencies
Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is an essential estate planning document that will allow the agent of your choice to manage your finances on your behalf.
- What is a Power of Attorney?
- What is a Durable Power of Attorney?
- What is a Springing Power of Attorney?
- How to Choose an Attorney in Fact for Your Power of Attorney
Other Estate Planning Documents
There are other legal documents that may be required to make your estate plan complete as well as important documents that need to be located after someone dies. Learn about them here.
