What Is a Lady Bird Deed? A Plain-English Guide
A Lady Bird deed — also called an enhanced life estate deed — is a simple and powerful estate planning
Wills and Trusts
Wills and Trusts
Wills and Trusts
What Is a Step-Up in Basis? A Plain-English Guide
The step-up in basis is one of the most valuable and least understood tax benefits in American estate planning. It
Wills and Trusts
What Is the Difference Between a Guardian and a Conservator? A Plain-English Guide
Guardianship and conservatorship are two of the most important — and most frequently confused — legal concepts in elder law
What Is a Qualified Personal Residence Trust? A Plain-English Guide
A Qualified Personal Residence Trust — commonly called a QPRT and pronounced cue-pert — is an irrevocable trust that allows
What Is a Grantor Trust? A Plain-English Guide
A grantor trust is a trust in which the person who created and funded the trust — called the grantor
What Is an Intestate Heir? A Plain-English Guide
An intestate heir is a person who is legally entitled to inherit from a deceased person’s estate when that person
What Is an Executor of an Estate? A Plain-English Guide
An executor of an estate is the person named in a will to manage and settle the deceased person’s estate
What Is a Payable on Death Account? A Plain-English Guide
A payable on death account — commonly called a POD account — is a bank account that has a named
What Is a Transfer on Death Deed? A Plain-English Guide
A transfer on death deed — also called a TOD deed, beneficiary deed, or revocable transfer on death deed —
What Is a Spendthrift Trust? A Plain-English Guide
A spendthrift trust is a type of trust that includes provisions specifically designed to protect a beneficiary’s inheritance from their