Estate Planning Articles

Death Certificate vs Death Notice refers to the difference between a certified government record issued by a state vital records office and a public announcement used to inform the community of someone’s passing. A death certificate is an official legal document required for probate and financial matters. A death notic...

What to do if you can’t find a death notice starts with verifying official public record sources, including state vital records offices, probate court filings, and recognized national death notice databases. If no death notice appears online, it does not automatically mean the death was not reported. Instead, it usuall...

Why Accurate Death Verification Matters Before Probate becomes clear the moment a family prepares to open an estate. Before filing probate, courts require accurate confirmation of death. Executors must rely on verified dates. Attorneys must confirm jurisdiction. Financial institutions require documented proof. Without ...

The Complete Guide to Drafting, Executing, and Protecting Your Estate when Making a Will How to make a will is a question many people delay answering, yet the legal process is far more structured and manageable than most assume. Although estate planning may feel overwhelming at first, drafting a legally valid will requ...

Last Updated: March 2026 Probate is the court-supervised legal process that validates a will, appoints a personal representative, pays debts, and distributes property after someone dies. Probate applies whether someone dies with a will or without one. Because state statutes govern estate settlement, procedures vary by ...

How to file a petition to probate a will is one of the most important legal steps after someone dies with a valid will. The process formally asks the probate court to recognize the will and appoint the executor. Until the court approves the petition, the executor has no legal authority to act. Many families … ...

Is it too late to find a will after probate or years later depends almost entirely on timing, legal standing, and whether the estate has already been administered. Many people begin searching months or even years after a death. By then, probate may be closed, assets may be distributed, and legal deadlines may have expi...

Can you claim an inheritance if you are not immediate family is a common and often emotional question.  This is especially true when someone believes they were promised something, mentioned informally, or treated like family by the person who passed away. While inheritance law is very specific, it does allow for situat...

How to find a will in Probate Court is often one of the first and most important steps families must take after someone passes away. When a loved one dies, unanswered questions can create stress and delay important decisions. Therefore, locating the will quickly can bring clarity, direction, and legal protection. This ...

End of life preparation is more than a checklist. It is a thoughtful act of love. When you create a plan, you protect your family from stress and confusion. You also make sure your wishes are honored. This guide walks you through every step of end of life planning. From medical decisions to burial preferences, …...

How to start a planned giving program begins with understanding what planned giving is, why it matters, and how nonprofits can launch one with limited resources. By learning the basics of bequests, donor motivations, and available tools, even small organizations can build a sustainable legacy-giving strategy. With the ...

Trust Account planning gives families a reliable way to protect assets, avoid probate, and control how their property is managed and passed on. Trust accounts are one of the most important tools in modern estate planning.  Although many people have heard the term, few understand exactly what a trust account is, how it ...

Beneficiary of a will is a term that many people hear, yet few fully understand. A beneficiary of a will is a person or organization chosen to receive property, money, or personal items after someone dies. Because every family and estate is different, the law allows multiple types of beneficiaries, each with different ...

Inheritance Disputes create stress, confusion, and emotional strain for families. These conflicts usually begin when a loved one dies and questions about property, money, or fairness rise to the surface. The will may be missing. It may also be unclear. Families may not agree on what should happen next. These moments fe...

Bequest are one of the most personal and powerful ways to make a lasting difference. It allows you to pass on your values, continue supporting meaningful causes, and provide for those you care about most. Through The U.S. Will Registry, including a charitable gift in your will is secure, simple, and free for everyone. ...

Planned Giving Marketing is one of the most powerful ways a nonprofit can build long-term financial sustainability. It helps organizations connect with loyal supporters who want their values to live on beyond their lifetime. Yet many nonprofits still struggle to promote planned giving effectively. They hesitate because...

Planned Giving is the simplest and most reliable way for nonprofits to build long-term sustainability. Over the next 25 years, more than $68 trillion will transfer from Baby Boomers to their heirs — the largest wealth transfer in history. Also known as legacy giving, planned giving allows donors to include charitable g...

Online will creator programs are designed to make certain everyone has access to creating a will. The U.S. Will Registry has created a public program that is free for everyone to use. It is a simple, secure tool that lets you create a legal will from home. Online will makers were developed to make estate … Onl...

Online Will Maker sites have quickly become the standard way to prepare a will. Thanks to modern technology, you can now complete your will safely, easily, and for free—all from the comfort of home. The U.S. Will Registry’s Online Will Maker was created to help anyone make a legal will in minutes, without confusing leg...

A forged will can tear families apart and destroy the true intentions of the deceased. When someone falsifies a signature, alters the contents of a will, or creates an entirely fake document, the consequences can be devastating. These deceitful acts not only violate the law but also rob rightful heirs of their inherita...

Challenge a will when you believe something isn’t right about how it was written, signed, or executed. Sometimes a will excludes rightful heirs, or a suspiciously new version surfaces after a loved one’s death. In these cases, families may question its validity. Challenging a will is not about greed. Instead, it’s abou...

Find a Register of Wills begins with The U.S. Will Registry, founded in 1997. It is the nation’s only centralized database for recording the existence and location of wills. Families, executors, and attorneys depend on it to locate wills even when the drafting lawyer has retired, moved, or passed away. When a loved one...

Last will and testament California planning should be simple, safe, and focused on what your family will truly need. For most simple estates, starting with a guided online tool is the smartest approach. The U.S. Will Registry provides a free online will program that walks you through each decision in clear, plain langu...

Register of wills estate search plays a crucial role in the probate process. When someone passes away, locating their will becomes one of the first and most important steps in settling their estate. Families often struggle to find a will or confirm whether it was filed. Fortunately, estate searches through the The U.S....

Easy online will services are changing how families approach estate planning. Instead of paying high attorney fees or trying to navigate confusing paper forms, you can now prepare a legally valid will in minutes. Modern technology makes the process fast, affordable, and stress-free. In this guide, you’ll learn what an ...