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Home/Estate Planning by State

State-by-State Guides

Estate planning laws vary significantly. Find your state.

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.

All 50 states covered
12states with estate tax
9community property states
Key:
Estate TaxState-level estate tax (in addition to federal)
Community PropertyMarital assets owned 50/50

Northeast

CT

Connecticut

Estate Tax

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.

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DE

Delaware

Delaware estate planning guide: no state estate tax, favorable trust laws, dynasty trusts, and why Delaware is a national trust planning hub.

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ME

Maine

Estate Tax

Maine estate planning guide: state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Maine's unique property and coastal estate issues.

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MA

Massachusetts

Estate Tax

Massachusetts estate planning guide: state estate tax with a $2M exemption, one of the lowest in the country, and how to plan for it.

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NH

New Hampshire

New Hampshire estate planning guide: no state estate tax, no income tax, and planning for New Hampshire families.

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NJ

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.

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NY

New York

Estate Tax

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.

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PA

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania estate planning guide: inheritance tax, probate through Register of Wills, and planning for Pennsylvania families.

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RI

Rhode Island

Estate Tax

Rhode Island estate planning guide: state estate tax, probate process, and planning for Rhode Island's unique coastal property environment.

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VT

Vermont

Estate Tax

Vermont estate planning guide: state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Vermont families with significant property.

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South

AL

Alabama

Alabama estate planning guide: probate process, no state estate tax, and how to protect your assets and legacy in AL.

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AR

Arkansas

Arkansas estate planning guide: no state estate tax, dower rights, farmland succession, and protecting your family's legacy in AR.

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FL

Florida

Florida estate planning guide: no state estate tax, homestead laws, probate process, and planning for one of America's most popular retirement destinations.

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GA

Georgia

Georgia estate planning guide: no state estate tax, year's support, probate process, and protecting your family in GA.

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KY

Kentucky

Kentucky estate planning guide: inheritance tax, dower rights, and estate planning for Kentucky families.

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LA

Louisiana

Comm. Property

Louisiana estate planning guide: forced heirship, community property, civil law system, and navigating Louisiana's unique legal environment.

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MD

Maryland

Estate Tax

Maryland estate planning guide: both estate and inheritance taxes, probate process, and planning for Maryland families with significant assets.

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MS

Mississippi

Mississippi estate planning guide: no state estate tax, dower rights, and planning for Mississippi families.

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NC

North Carolina

North Carolina estate planning guide: no state estate tax, year's allowance for surviving spouse, and protecting your family in NC.

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OK

Oklahoma

Oklahoma estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, oil and gas rights, and protecting your family in OK.

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SC

South Carolina

South Carolina estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for South Carolina families.

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TN

Tennessee

Tennessee estate planning guide: no state estate tax, no income tax, and planning for Tennessee families.

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TX

Texas

Comm. Property

Texas estate planning guide: community property laws, no state estate tax, muniment of title, and how to plan your legacy in TX.

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VA

Virginia

Virginia estate planning guide: no state estate tax, TOD deeds, and planning for Virginia's growing Northern Virginia real estate market.

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WV

West Virginia

West Virginia estate planning guide: no state estate tax, mineral rights planning, and protecting your family legacy in WV.

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Midwest

IL

Illinois

Estate Tax

Illinois estate planning guide: state estate tax, probate process, and planning for Illinois residents with significant assets.

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IN

Indiana

Indiana estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and protecting your family in Indiana.

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IA

Iowa

Iowa estate planning guide: inheritance tax (not estate tax), farmland succession, and protecting your family legacy in Iowa.

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KS

Kansas

Kansas estate planning guide: no state estate tax, farmland succession, and planning for Kansas families.

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MI

Michigan

Michigan estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Michigan families.

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MN

Minnesota

Estate Tax

Minnesota estate planning guide: state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Minnesota families with significant assets.

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MO

Missouri

Missouri estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and protecting your family's legacy in Missouri.

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NE

Nebraska

Nebraska estate planning guide: inheritance tax (not estate tax), farmland values, and protecting your family legacy in Nebraska.

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ND

North Dakota

North Dakota estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, oil and mineral rights, and farm succession planning.

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OH

Ohio

Ohio estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and protecting your family in Ohio.

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SD

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.

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WI

Wisconsin

Comm. Property

Wisconsin estate planning guide: marital property (community property equivalent), no state estate tax, and planning for Wisconsin families.

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West

AK

Alaska

Alaska estate planning guide: community property opt-in, no state estate tax, and planning for remote property and unique Alaska assets.

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AZ

Arizona

Comm. Property

Arizona estate planning guide: community property laws, no state estate tax, probate process, and protecting your legacy in AZ.

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CA

California

Comm. Property

California estate planning guide: community property laws, probate process, Prop 19, and how to protect your legacy in CA.

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CO

Colorado

Colorado estate planning guide: no state estate tax, transfer-on-death deeds, and planning for Colorado's unique real estate market.

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HI

Hawaii

Estate Tax

Hawaii estate planning guide: state estate tax, community property, high real estate values, and planning for Hawaii's unique legal environment.

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ID

Idaho

Comm. Property

Idaho estate planning guide: community property laws, no state estate tax, and planning for Idaho's growing real estate market.

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MT

Montana

Montana estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, ranch succession, and planning for Montana's unique assets.

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NV

Nevada

Comm. Property

Nevada estate planning guide: no state estate tax, community property, strong asset protection trust laws, and planning in Nevada.

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NM

New Mexico

Comm. Property

New Mexico estate planning guide: community property, no state estate tax, and planning for New Mexico's unique cultural and legal environment.

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OR

Oregon

Estate Tax

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.

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UT

Utah

Utah estate planning guide: no state estate tax, Uniform Probate Code, and planning for Utah's growing real estate market.

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WA

Washington

Estate TaxComm. Property

Washington State estate planning guide: state estate tax, community property, no income tax, and planning for WA's tech-wealth-driven estate landscape.

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WY

Wyoming

Wyoming estate planning guide: no state estate tax, no income tax, strong asset protection trust laws, and dynasty trusts.

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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.