Guides
Estate planning, plainly explained.
What happens without a will. How probate works. Wills vs. trusts. How to choose who you trust with your kids and your estate.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will?
Dying without a will — called dying 'intestate' — means your state decides who gets your assets, who raises your children, and who handles your estate. Here's what that looks like in practice.
5 min read
Will vs. Trust: Which Do You Need?
A will and a trust both transfer assets after death, but they work differently and serve different purposes. Here's how to think about which one — or both — makes sense for your situation.
6 min read
What Is Probate — and How Do You Avoid It?
Probate is the court process that validates your will and supervises the transfer of your assets. It's not always as bad as people think — but there are legitimate reasons to plan around it.
5 min read
How to Choose an Executor for Your Will
Your executor handles everything after you die — collecting assets, paying debts, filing taxes, and distributing your estate. Choosing the right person matters more than most people realize.
5 min read
How to Choose a Guardian for Your Children
If both parents die, who raises your children? Naming a guardian in your will is the single most important decision parents can make in estate planning — and one of the hardest to think through.
5 min read
When Should You Update Your Will?
A will you made five years ago may no longer reflect your life. Here are the life events that should trigger a review — and a few that people miss.
4 min read
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney lets someone you trust make financial or medical decisions for you if you can't. It's one of the most important documents in any estate plan — and one of the most overlooked.
5 min read
How to Protect Your Digital Assets
Email accounts, photos, cryptocurrency, domain names, and social profiles don't pass through a will the way physical property does. Here's how to plan for them.
5 min read