Estate Planning Articles & FAQ
Arranging to Donate Your Body
How to arrange a full body donation to a medical institution.
Arranging to Donate Your Organs
How to donate your organs after death.
Charitable Trusts: Tax Breaks for Do-Gooders
If you want to give a big gift to charity, consider a charitable trust.
Checklist for Getting Your Financial Affairs in Order
Take the following steps to help your family should you die or become incapacitated.
Choosing a Guardian for Your Children
If you have children, you should choose a personal guardian -- someone to raise them in the unlikely event you can't.
Choosing an Executor FAQ
Choosing Your Healthcare Agent
Name the best person to direct your medical care if you are unable to do so yourself.
Do You Need Life Insurance?
Not everyone needs life insurance. Find out whether or not you do.
Duty of Medical Personnel to Honor Your Healthcare Directives
Know when health care providers must follow your instructions for medical care -- and when they may not.
Estate and Gift Tax FAQ
Family Members' Right to Inherit
Your closest relatives may have a right to claim part of your estate.
FAQ for Executors
Final Arrangements FAQ
Get Organized Now
Help your family -- and make your executor's job easier -- by getting your paperwork in order.
Getting Your Retirement Money Early -- Without Penalty
Just can't wait for your retirement funds? Painless advice on how to get your retirement money early.
How Durable Powers of Attorney for Finances Work
Durable powers of attorney for finances -- a simple way to arrange for someone to handle your finances if you can't.
How Healthcare Directives Work
It's smart to make documents setting out your wishes for health care in case you are ever unable to speak for yourself.
How Living Trusts Avoid Probate
Here's the lowdown on basic probate-avoiding living trusts.
Is It Time to Change Your Estate Plan?
Make sure your will reflects your current wishes and situation.
Leaving Property to Young Children
It's easy to arrange for someone to manage any property you leave to young children.
Life Insurance Options
When it comes to choosing a life insurance policy, you may feel dazed by your options. Here are the basic types and the pros and cons of each.
Living Trust FAQ
Married Couples: Who Owns What?
Be sure you know what property is yours to leave or give away.
Probate FAQ
Reducing Estate Tax by Making Gifts
Making gifts during your life can provide you with tax savings and more.
Reducing Estate Taxes by Transferring Ownership of Your Life Insurance Policy
Lower your beneficiaries' estate taxes by not owning your life insurance policy.
Retirement Plan FAQ
Tax-Saving AB Trusts
Couples can save a bundle on estate taxes with this kind of trust.
The Estate Tax Is Dead (Maybe)
The estate tax will be fully repealed by 2010 but may come back in 2011.
The Executor's Job
What's involved in wrapping up an estate.
The Perils of Prepayment Plans
Tips on shopping for funeral goods and services.
Top Myths About Retirement Plans
Test your knowledge to see how much you know about taking your money out.
Using Life Insurance to Provide for Your Kids
Life insurance may be a good source of income for your children if you die. Here's what you should know.
What You Can Cover in Your Healthcare Directives
An overview of some important medical issues you'll face when preparing a living will and a power of attorney for health care.
What You Can't Do in Your Will
Wills aren't the place to handle certain kinds of property or issues.