State-by-State Guides
Community property rules, state estate taxes, probate thresholds — the details differ dramatically from state to state. Get the guide written for where you actually live.
Connecticut
Connecticut estate planning guide: state estate tax, gift tax, probate process, and planning for one of the few states with both an estate and gift tax.
Delaware
Delaware estate planning guide: no state estate tax, favorable trust laws, dynasty trusts, and why Delaware is a national trust planning hub.
Maine
Maine estate planning guide: state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Maine's unique property and coastal estate issues.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts estate planning guide: state estate tax with a $2M exemption, one of the lowest in the country, and how to plan for it.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire estate planning guide: no state estate tax, no income tax, and planning for New Hampshire families.
New Jersey
New Jersey estate planning guide: inheritance tax (Class A vs. Class C/D), no estate tax since 2018, and planning for NJ families.
New York
New York estate planning guide: state estate tax with a cliff effect, probate through Surrogate's Court, and planning for NY's high-value estates.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania estate planning guide: inheritance tax, probate through Register of Wills, and planning for Pennsylvania families.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island estate planning guide: state estate tax, probate process, and planning for Rhode Island's unique coastal property environment.
Vermont
Vermont estate planning guide: state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Vermont families with significant property.
Alabama
Alabama estate planning guide: probate process, no state estate tax, and how to protect your assets and legacy in AL.
Arkansas
Arkansas estate planning guide: no state estate tax, dower rights, farmland succession, and protecting your family's legacy in AR.
Florida
Florida estate planning guide: no state estate tax, homestead laws, probate process, and planning for one of America's most popular retirement destinations.
Georgia
Georgia estate planning guide: no state estate tax, year's support, probate process, and protecting your family in GA.
Kentucky
Kentucky estate planning guide: inheritance tax, dower rights, and estate planning for Kentucky families.
Louisiana
Louisiana estate planning guide: forced heirship, community property, civil law system, and navigating Louisiana's unique legal environment.
Maryland
Maryland estate planning guide: both estate and inheritance taxes, probate process, and planning for Maryland families with significant assets.
Mississippi
Mississippi estate planning guide: no state estate tax, dower rights, and planning for Mississippi families.
North Carolina
North Carolina estate planning guide: no state estate tax, year's allowance for surviving spouse, and protecting your family in NC.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, oil and gas rights, and protecting your family in OK.
South Carolina
South Carolina estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for South Carolina families.
Tennessee
Tennessee estate planning guide: no state estate tax, no income tax, and planning for Tennessee families.
Texas
Texas estate planning guide: community property laws, no state estate tax, muniment of title, and how to plan your legacy in TX.
Virginia
Virginia estate planning guide: no state estate tax, TOD deeds, and planning for Virginia's growing Northern Virginia real estate market.
West Virginia
West Virginia estate planning guide: no state estate tax, mineral rights planning, and protecting your family legacy in WV.
Illinois
Illinois estate planning guide: state estate tax, probate process, and planning for Illinois residents with significant assets.
Indiana
Indiana estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and protecting your family in Indiana.
Iowa
Iowa estate planning guide: inheritance tax (not estate tax), farmland succession, and protecting your family legacy in Iowa.
Kansas
Kansas estate planning guide: no state estate tax, farmland succession, and planning for Kansas families.
Michigan
Michigan estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Michigan families.
Minnesota
Minnesota estate planning guide: state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Minnesota families with significant assets.
Missouri
Missouri estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and protecting your family's legacy in Missouri.
Nebraska
Nebraska estate planning guide: inheritance tax (not estate tax), farmland values, and protecting your family legacy in Nebraska.
North Dakota
North Dakota estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, oil and mineral rights, and farm succession planning.
Ohio
Ohio estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and protecting your family in Ohio.
South Dakota
South Dakota estate planning guide: no state estate tax, dynasty trust laws, no state income tax, and why South Dakota is a national trust planning hub.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin estate planning guide: marital property (community property equivalent), no state estate tax, and planning for Wisconsin families.
Alaska
Alaska estate planning guide: community property opt-in, no state estate tax, and planning for remote property and unique Alaska assets.
Arizona
Arizona estate planning guide: community property laws, no state estate tax, probate process, and protecting your legacy in AZ.
California
California estate planning guide: community property laws, probate process, Prop 19, and how to protect your legacy in CA.
Colorado
Colorado estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and planning for Colorado's unique real estate market.
Hawaii
Hawaii estate planning guide: state estate tax, community property, high real estate values, and planning for Hawaii's unique legal environment.
Idaho
Idaho estate planning guide: community property laws, no state estate tax, and planning for Idaho's growing real estate market.
Montana
Montana estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, ranch succession, and planning for Montana's unique assets.
Nevada
Nevada estate planning guide: no state estate tax, community property, strong asset protection trust laws, and planning in Nevada.
New Mexico
New Mexico estate planning guide: community property, no state estate tax, and planning for New Mexico's unique cultural and legal environment.
Oregon
Oregon estate planning guide: state estate tax with a $1M exemption, one of the lowest in the country, and how to plan for Oregon's estate tax.
Utah
Utah estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Utah's growing real estate market.
Washington
Washington State estate planning guide: state estate tax, community property, no income tax, and planning for WA's tech-wealth-driven estate landscape.
Wyoming
Wyoming estate planning guide: no state estate tax, no income tax, strong asset protection trust laws, and dynasty trusts.
Ready when you are
Understanding your state's laws is the first step. The next step is actually documenting your wishes for your family.
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Legacy Planning by Profession →Important disclaimer
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. It was created with the assistance of AI and may contain inaccuracies. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions.