Photo: Paige Cody / UnsplashGuardians and wills
- Family and estate
Naming a Guardian for Your Minor Children in a Will: How to Choose and What the Court Does
How to name a guardian for minor children in your will: choosing a guardian and backups, the court's role, separating guardian of the person from managing money, letters to guardians and common mistakes.
3 min read - Family and estate
Estate Planning Checklist for New Parents: Will, Guardian, Insurance, Beneficiaries and Medical Documents
A step-by-step estate planning checklist for new parents: wills, guardians, life insurance, beneficiary designations, trusts for children, powers of attorney, health care directives, digital assets and a review schedule.
3 min read - Legal documents
Last Will and Testament: What It Should Include and How to Make It Valid
A practical guide to the contents of a will, signing and witness rules, safe storage and when to use a lawyer instead of a template.
4 min read - Family and estate
Will vs. Living Trust: Which One Do You Need?
Understand the differences between a will and a revocable living trust, including probate, privacy, cost and when each makes sense.
5 min read - Family and estate
What Does an Executor Do? Duties and Responsibilities
The main duties of an executor of an estate, from filing the will to paying debts and distributing property.
4 min read
Money for children
- Family and estate
Leaving Money to Minor Children: Trusts, UTMA Accounts and Who Holds the Money
How to leave assets to minor children: why not to leave money outright, UTMA custodial accounts, trusts, choosing trustees, age of distribution, life insurance and retirement account beneficiary issues.
3 min read - Family and estate
Beneficiary Designations vs. Wills: Which One Controls?
Why beneficiary forms on retirement accounts and life insurance override a will and how to keep them current.
2 min read - Family and estate
Life Insurance Claims: How Beneficiaries Get Paid
How to file a life insurance claim, how long it takes, why claims are delayed or denied and what to do if there is a dispute.
2 min read - Family and estate
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts: Differences and Uses
How revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts work, their purposes, control, taxes and creditor protection.
2 min read - Family and estate
How to Fund a Living Trust: Retitling Assets and Avoiding Common Mistakes
How to transfer real estate, bank accounts, investments and other assets into a revocable living trust, what to leave out and why unfunded trusts fail.
3 min read - Family and estate
Special Needs Trusts: Protecting Benefits for a Person With a Disability
How special needs trusts let a person with a disability receive money without losing benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.
4 min read
Incapacity and caregiving
- Legal documents
General Power of Attorney: Powers, Risks and Safeguards
What a general power of attorney lets your agent do, why durability matters, risks of abuse and tips to make one safely.
3 min read - Legal documents
Medical Power of Attorney: Choosing Someone to Make Health Decisions
How a healthcare power of attorney works, who to choose as your agent and how to make it valid and available in an emergency.
4 min read - Family and estate
Living Wills and Advance Directives: Planning for Medical Decisions
How a living will and a healthcare proxy work together to state your medical wishes if you cannot speak for yourself.
5 min read - Family and estate
Power of Attorney for a Child: Letting Someone Else Make Decisions
How a temporary power of attorney for a minor works, what it can cover, how it differs from guardianship and its limits.
3 min read - Family and estate
Child Medical Consent Forms: Letting a Caregiver Approve Treatment
How a medical consent form for a minor works, when babysitters, relatives and schools need one and what it should include.
3 min read - Family and estate
Digital Assets After Death: Email, Photos, Crypto and Online Accounts
How to plan for online accounts, cloud files and cryptocurrency after death, what laws allow executors to access and what to put in your will.
3 min read
Frequently asked questions
Do new parents need a will?
Yes, mainly to name a guardian and direct assets.
What if I do not name a guardian?
A court decides who raises your children.
Should I leave money directly to my child?
No, use a trust or custodial account.
How much life insurance do we need?
Enough to replace income and cover major expenses.
How often should I update my plan?
After major life events and every few years.