Welcome to the fastest and easiest way to find out about Inheritance Law in your state. Here, you'll find clear and accurate information about how to inherit property, including:
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Here is an overview of how this site works and what articles you'll find most useful. It can be confusing to sort out the process, the taxes, and the issues that arise after someone's death. This site will help.
Children can't inherit more than a small amount of property directly. Find out how State allows you to handle a minor's inheritance.
Learn how to find and claim proceeds under life insurance policies.
Joint tenants automatically inherit an asset when the other joint tenant dies. Learn more about how joint tenancy assets are distributed.
Payable on death accounts transfer directly to named beneficiaries and avoid probate. Learn more about how to use payable on death accounts to avoid probate.
Each state has rules, called the laws of intestacy, that determine how to divide property when a spouse dies without a Will. Read this article to find out who inherits if a spouse or parent dies without a Will in State.
Each state has its own rules about probate. Find out how they do it in State.
Small estates don't have to go through probate to be distributed. Find out what State's limit is for this small estates procedure.
Only a few states collect their own estate or inheritance tax. Find out if State collects either (or both) taxes on the estate after someone has died.
When beneficiaries inherit assets, those assets generally receive what's called a "step up"in basis. Understand how this saves beneficiaries taxes on appreciated assets.
Find out what's changed in 2019 for inheritance law.
There are several different taxes that need to be filed after there's been a death. Learn more about which taxes to file and how to file them.
In order to settle an estate or a trust, you'll need to get a tax identification number for it. Find out how to do it.