Estate Planning 101: Everything You Need to Know
A complete beginner's guide to protecting your loved ones and your assets. Start here if you're new to estate planning.
17 articles in this guide
In this guide
The Basics
What estate planning is and why it matters.
Key Documents
The essential documents every estate plan should include.
Common Situations
How life events change your estate planning needs.
Maximizing Your Estate with the New $15 Million Tax Exemption
Discover how the new $15 million federal estate tax exemption impacts your estate planning decisions.
7 min readEssential Estate Planning Updates for 2026
Learn key estate planning updates for 2026, including the new tax exemption and AI notarization opportunities.
6 min readDo I Really Need a Will?
If anyone depends on you or you own anything you care about, you need a will. It's not about wealth — it's about who chooses, you or the state.
3 min readWill My Spouse Automatically Get Everything?
Not automatically. In many states, a surviving spouse splits the estate with children or parents. A will is the only way to be certain.
4 min readWhat's the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?
A will takes effect at death and goes through probate. A revocable living trust takes effect now and passes assets privately, without probate.
3 min readIs a Trust Only for Wealthy People?
No. A trust keeps your estate out of probate, and probate doesn't check your net worth. Owning a home is often reason enough.
3 min readCan I Make a Will Online? Is It Actually Legal?
Yes. An online will is legally valid when it's executed to your state's rules. The catch is execution — signing, witnessing, and notarizing.
3 min readDo I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will?
For most straightforward situations, no. But business ownership, a blended family, a special-needs beneficiary, or property in multiple states call for an attorney.
3 min readHow Much Does a Will or Trust Cost?
With an attorney, a will runs several hundred to a few thousand dollars. With Inhira, a real will is free. Compare it against the state's default plan.
3 min readWhat Is Probate, and Why Does Everyone Avoid It?
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating your will and distributing your estate. It's public, slow, and paid for out of what your family inherits.
3 min readI'm Young and Single. Do I Need Estate Planning?
More than you'd think. A financial power of attorney and a healthcare directive name who acts for you if you can't. A basic will rounds it out.
3 min readWho Would Take Care of My Kids If Something Happened to Me?
Name a guardian in a will. It's the only place guardianship for minor children can be formally nominated. Name a backup too.
3 min readWhat Documents Make Up a Complete Estate Plan?
Four core documents, plus one optional trust: a will, a financial power of attorney, a healthcare directive, and a HIPAA authorization.
4 min readDo I Need Both a Will and a Trust?
Yes. A pour-over will catches anything you never moved into the trust and is where you name guardians for your kids — a trust can't do that.
3 min readWhat Happens If You Die Without a Will in 2026?
What happens if you die without a will in 2026? Learn the consequences and how to protect your loved ones.
8 min readWhy Do Over Half of Adults Still Lack an Estate Plan?
In 2026, many adults lack an estate plan, leading to potential asset loss.
5 min readWhy Young Adults Need Estate Planning Now
Learn why young adults need estate planning and what documents are essential for protection.
5 min readReady to get started?
Inhira makes estate planning simple — answer a few questions and your documents are generated automatically.
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