Medicaid estate recovery: what it is and how to protect your heirs
Medicaid estate recovery lets states seek repayment for long-term care after a death. Learn which assets are at risk, key exemptions, and planning options.
8 min readAll resources
Pillar guide · 33 articles
Estate & paperwork
Wills, trusts, probate, and the paperwork that follows.
How to sell a house after someone dies
Learn how to sell a house after someone dies, from confirming legal authority and probate to the stepped-up basis, dividing proceeds, and reporting the sale.
8 min readHow to transfer a car title after death
Learn how to transfer a car title after death, including the DMV documents required, surviving spouse and small estate options, and when probate applies.
7 min readDeath certificate in Illinois: copies, costs, and what they're for
How to get a certified death certificate in Illinois: who can request one, county clerk vs. state vital records, typical copy counts, and processing times.
7 min readAdvance directive template: how to document your end-of-life wishes
An advance directive documents your medical wishes so doctors and family know what you want if you can't speak for yourself. This guide walks you through exactly what to include — and where to get or create your state's form.
8 min readWhat happens if you die without a will? Intestate succession explained
If you die without a will, your state's intestacy laws decide who gets everything — and the result often surprises families. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, and close friends receive nothing by default under most state laws.
8 min readHow to write a will: a plain-English guide for every adult
Writing a will doesn't require a lawyer in most states. This guide explains what a valid will must include, how to write one yourself, when to hire an attorney, and how to make sure it holds up.
9 min readSocial Security survivor benefits: who qualifies and how much
A surviving spouse, divorced spouse, or child may qualify for monthly Social Security survivor benefits and the $255 death payment. Here is who is eligible, how amounts are calculated, and what remarriage changes.
13 min readSpecial needs trust: how to protect a disabled beneficiary's inheritance
A special needs trust (SNT) lets you leave money to a person with disabilities without disqualifying them from Medicaid or SSI. Without one, an inheritance over $2,000 can eliminate their government benefits entirely.
8 min readWhat happens to a 401(k) when someone dies?
A 401(k) passes to the named beneficiary — not through the will. This guide explains how inherited 401(k)s work, what spouses vs. non-spouses can do, and the 10-year rule for inherited accounts.
7 min readWhat happens to your assets when you die? A complete guide by asset type
What happens to your home, retirement accounts, bank accounts, life insurance, and debts when you die depends on how each is titled and whether you have named beneficiaries. This guide covers every major asset type.
12 min readWhat happens to credit cards when someone dies?
When someone dies, their individual credit card debt becomes a claim against the estate — not against surviving family members. Joint account holders are an exception. Here's what executors and families need to know.
7 min readWhat happens to a house when the owner dies?
What happens to a house after someone dies depends entirely on how it was owned — jointly, solely, or through a trust. This guide covers every scenario and what heirs need to do.
8 min readWhat happens to a mortgage when the homeowner dies?
A mortgage doesn't disappear when someone dies — payments must continue. This guide explains who is responsible, what lenders require, and the options for surviving family members.
7 min readAdvance directive vs. living will: what's the difference?
Understand the difference between an advance directive and a living will — what each covers, how they work together, and what to include to make your wishes clear.
6 min readHow to close a bank account after someone dies
What banks require to close a deceased person's account, how joint and payable-on-death accounts differ, what to do when there is no will, and the one mistake that creates real legal trouble.
11 min readHow many death certificates do you need?
Most families need 8–12 certified death certificate copies — more than they expect. How many to order, who is allowed to order them, where to get them, and what each institution requires.
11 min readWhat happens to medical debt when someone dies?
Learn what happens to medical debt after a death — who is responsible, how the estate handles it, when family members may owe, and how to negotiate or dispute bills.
6 min readHow to report a death to Social Security
Reporting a death to Social Security is usually handled by the funeral home, but not always. Here is who makes the report, what information they need, and why the month-of-death payment has to go back.
5 min readPower of attorney for end of life: what it means and why it matters
Understand power of attorney for end-of-life planning — the types, when each applies, how to set one up, and why choosing the right agent matters deeply.
6 min readHow probate works: a step-by-step guide for executors and families
A complete walkthrough of the probate process — from filing the will with the court to distributing assets, how long each stage takes, which assets are exempt, and what executors need to do at each step.
7 min readWhat Is an Advance Directive? A Plain-English Guide for Families
An advance directive tells doctors and your family what medical care you want if you can no longer speak for yourself. This guide explains what it includes, how to write one, and why it matters even if you're young and healthy.
10 min readHow to avoid probate: which assets skip it and which do not
Not every estate goes through probate. How an asset is titled decides whether it passes directly to someone or through the court. Here is which assets skip probate, and what to do about the ones that do not.
8 min readHow to file a final tax return for a deceased person
Learn how to file a final tax return for a deceased person: who files, how to mark Form 1040, joint return rules, Form 1310 refunds, and key IRS deadlines.
7 min readPayable-on-death accounts: the easiest way to pass assets
A payable-on-death (POD) designation lets a bank account or CD pass directly to your beneficiary, skipping probate entirely and overriding what your will says.
7 min readTransfer-on-death deed: how to pass real estate without probate
A transfer-on-death deed lets you name a beneficiary for real estate that transfers automatically at death, bypassing probate. Here's how it works, and its limits.
7 min readBeneficiary designations: why they override your will and how to get them right
Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts pass directly to the person named — bypassing your will entirely. Getting them wrong is one of the most common and expensive estate planning mistakes.
8 min readExecutor responsibilities: what you're agreeing to when you say yes
Being named an executor is an honor — and a real job. This guide covers every executor responsibility, the timeline to expect, and what happens when things get complicated.
8 min readHow long does probate take? A state-by-state guide
Probate typically takes 6–18 months for a straightforward estate. Complex estates with disputes, creditor claims, or real estate in multiple states can take 2–3 years. Here's what drives the timeline — and a state-by-state breakdown.
9 min readWhat is a DNR order? What patients and families need to know
A DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) order instructs medical staff not to perform CPR if your heart stops or you stop breathing. It's a medical order signed by a physician — not a general end-of-life directive.
7 min readWhat is a POLST form? Who needs one and how to get it
A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a medical order for people who are seriously ill or elderly. Unlike an advance directive — which documents your wishes — a POLST translates those wishes into immediate medical orders that travel with you.
7 min readWhat is a revocable living trust — and do you need one?
A revocable living trust holds your assets during your lifetime and distributes them to beneficiaries after you die — without going through probate. You can change or revoke it at any time, which is what makes it 'revocable.'
8 min readWill vs. trust: which one do you actually need?
A will and a trust both distribute your assets after death, but they work very differently. A will goes through probate; a trust doesn't. For most people, the right answer is both — but understanding the difference helps you decide where to focus.
8 min read