Free, plain-English guides to wills, living trusts, and probate — with the actual rules, costs, and statutes for all 50 states and D.C. Written by a son who sat at his own parents’ kitchen table and figured it out, not by a law firm.
Find Your State’s Guide → Not sure what you need? Will vs. trust in 2 minutes →
Build Your Family’s Plan — Start Where You Are
Most families end up needing both documents. The question isn’t which one — it’s which one you start with.
A Last Will & Testament
Names who gets what, who’s in charge, and who raises your kids. Every adult needs one — but a will alone still goes through probate court.
$199–$299 online · What a will costs & what your state requires →
A Living Trust
Holds your home and assets so they pass to your family directly — no probate court, no public record, no months of waiting. The tool for families with a house.
$499–$599 online · What a trust costs in your state →
Our honest recommendation: if you’re starting from zero, start with the will — every adult needs one and it’s an afternoon of work. Add the trust when you own a home, have a blended family, or want your affairs kept out of court. Here’s how they fit together.
Where Are You in the Process?
Every family starts somewhere different. Pick the path that fits where you are right now:
My Parents Are Getting Older
No urgency yet — just a growing awareness that your family should talk about this. Here’s how to start.
We Need a Plan Now
A health scare, a diagnosis, a wake-up call. What to prioritize when your family needs to act this month.
Settling an Estate
A parent has passed and you need practical guidance, not condolences. The first 30 days, step by step.
Look It Up: The Numbers for Your State
Free reference tables compiled from IRS, CMS, and state statutes — updated when the law changes, licensed CC BY 4.0 for reuse:
Federal Estate Tax Exemption 1997–2026 · State Estate & Inheritance Taxes · Probate Costs & Executor Fees by State · Small Estate Limits by State · Nursing Home Costs by State · Estate Tax Exposure Index · Estate Tax Statistics
Find Your State
Estate planning is state-specific. Probate costs, timelines, estate taxes, and available tools all depend on where you (or your parents) live — and the differences are bigger than most people expect. Compare state rules side by side, or go straight to your state:
Northeast
Delaware
District of Columbia
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Southeast
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
Midwest
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Southwest
West
Learn the Essentials
Seven guides that cover what most families need to understand — in plain English, from personal experience:
What Is a Living Trust? — the cornerstone guide · How to Avoid Probate — every method, not just trusts · Having the Family Conversation — the page that makes this site different · Estate & Gift Taxes — what your family actually owes · Funding Your Trust — the step everyone forgets · The 5 Documents Every Family Needs · Protecting Your Parents’ Legacy — long-term care, Medicaid, and the bigger picture
Why Trust This Site
✓ All 50 states + D.C. — 150+ guides ✓ Every figure cited to the statute or agency source ✓ Reviewed quarterly, updated when laws change ✓ Free — no accounts, no paywalls
I’m Randy Smith. When my parents hit their 80s, I sat at their kitchen table and tried to figure out how to protect what they’d built. The lawyers spoke legalese and the internet spoke marketing. This site is everything I had to learn the hard way — organized so your family doesn’t have to. How this started →
Estate planning starts with your state’s rules. Probate costs, taxes, deadlines, and tools are different in every state. Find yours above — or if you’re not sure where to start, read Having the Family Conversation.
Last updated: August 2026. Reviewed quarterly and updated when laws or best practices change.