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.
20 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.
Why You Need a Will: The Urgency of Estate Planning
Discover why creating a will is essential for estate planning and timely asset distribution.
7 min readSmall Estate Shortcuts: Settling an Estate Without Full Probate
How small estate affidavits and summary probate work, what counts toward the limit, and sample limits and waiting periods, each checked against statute.
7 min readWhy Estate Planning is Crucial Today in 2026
Estate planning is critical now, especially with only 26% of Americans having a will. Understand why timely action is essential.
6 min readWhy You Should Create Your Will Today
Discover why creating your will today is crucial for estate planning, especially after recent changes to federal estate tax law.
8 min readMaximizing Your Estate with the New $15 Million Tax Exemption
The federal estate tax exemption rises to $15 million per person in 2026. Here is what that means for most families, and what to review in your plan.
7 min readEssential Estate Planning Updates for 2026
The federal estate tax exemption, notarization rules, and trust laws are changing in 2026. Here is what to review in your estate plan this year.
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 is not about wealth. It is 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 is executed to your state's rules. The catch is execution: signing, witnessing, and notarizing where required.
3 min readDo I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will?
For most straightforward situations, no. A business, a blended family, a beneficiary with special needs, or property in several states calls 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 is 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 You Need a Will If You Have a Trust?
Yes. A pour over will catches anything left outside your trust, and it is where you name a guardian for your children. Here is why you need both.
3 min readWhat Happens If You Die Without a Will in 2026?
If you die without a will, your state's intestacy law decides who inherits and a court picks who manages your estate. Here is what that means for your family.
8 min readWhy Young Adults Need Estate Planning Now
A financial power of attorney and a healthcare directive name who acts for you if you cannot. Here is why they matter in your twenties and thirties, too.
5 min readReady to get started?
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