A guide to understanding your Will.

Estate Planning Guide is an easy to understand, 13-page guide to help demystify what is involved in planning your estate, or preparing to make your Will. Most of the content in here is available on demand while you go through BuildaWill™. BuildaWill's forms do not address estate tax planning. You may wish to get professional advice regarding tax planning or other aspects of your estate plan.

You can begin the Estate Planning Guide now, or you can choose a subject below for quick reference.

Legal information and forms were last revised: Oct 2, 2002

An Introduction to Estate Planning  What is Estate Planning?  Keeping your Will up to date  Your Will in a nutshell-  What happens if you have no Will The Benefits of having a Will  The most important benefit  Avoid Intestacy  Choose your own Executor  Appoint Property Guardians or Trustees  Choose a Guardian for your Children Your Estate Plan  Everyone should have a Will  Things to keep in mind Your Family  Spouse  Children  Stepchildren  Children as Beneficiaries  Lineal Descendants Your Executor  Your Executor's responsibilities  Your Executor's powers  Choosing the right person  What to tell the person you choose Your Property  Make an inventory  Personal Property  Joint Property  Debts and Net Values  What you can't leave  Tips on identifying property Estate and Inheritance Taxes  How taxes affect your estate  Federal Taxes  State Taxes

Beneficiaries What is a "Beneficiary"? Who Qualifies as a Beneficiary? Different Types of Beneficiaries    -Specific Gift Beneficiary    -Residuary Beneficiary    -Alternate Residuary Beneficiary Restrictions on Beneficiaries    -Minor    -Spouses Charities Survivorship Period Trustees or Property Guardians  Why would I need one?  Trusts and BuildaWill™  What can the Trustee do? Guardian  What a Guardian does:  What to consider when selecting a Guardian  Who you choose is subject to court approval Signing and Witnessing your Will  Why you need a witness  4 steps to making your Will valid Storing your Will Finding a safe place for your Will Don't forget to let the Executor know! Updating your Will  When to change your Will  How to change your Will  How new Wills revoke older ones  Lets make your Will!

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