Estate planning

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 is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate during a person's life. Estate planning typically attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. Guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity.

It overlaps to some degree with elder law, which additionally includes other provisions such as long-term care.

Introductory materials on estate planning

 * How to Create Your Estate Plan: A Checklist, Christine Benz, Morningstar, November 30, 2022, viewed February 17, 2023.
 * Estate Planning Checklist, Charles Schwab, viewed July 28, 2017. A comprehensive checklist including free PDF downloads of an asset inventory worksheet and an estate planning guide of essential information.
 * Vanguard Estate Planning FAQ
 * Vanguard Trust Services

The Internal Revenue Service has a great deal to say about the transfer of assets:


 * Frequently Asked Questions on Estate Taxes
 * Pub 559: Survivors, Executors, and Administrators is designed to help those in charge (personal representatives) of the property (estate) of an individual who has died (decedent). It shows them how to complete and file federal income tax returns and explains their responsibility to pay any taxes due on behalf of the decedent.
 * Pub 559 contains a section explaining estate and gift taxes
 * Forms and Publications - Estate and Gift Tax is an overview of the forms needed for estate taxes and gift taxes