Blog / Estate and family
Estate planning and family agreements
Wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and family agreements decide who acts and who inherits when it matters most. These guides explain the core documents and how requirements vary by state.
- How to Fill Out and Sign a Living Will
A step-by-step guide to completing and signing a living will: choosing treatment preferences, witness and notary rules by state, and making …
- How to Avoid Probate (Step-by-Step Guide)
A practical guide to avoiding probate: living trusts, transfer-on-death deeds, POD accounts, beneficiary designations, and the mistakes that…
- Medical Power of Attorney Template & Guide
How to write a medical power of attorney: choosing a healthcare agent, the powers to grant, when it takes effect, and the signing rules that…
- Durable Power of Attorney Template & Guide
How to write a durable power of attorney: what 'durable' means, which powers to grant your agent, when it takes effect, and the signing rule…
- How to Write a Trust Agreement (Living Trust)
How to write a trust agreement: grantor, trustee and beneficiary roles, revocable vs. irrevocable terms, funding the trust, and the mistakes…
- How to Revoke a Power of Attorney
How to revoke a power of attorney: what a revocation document must include, the step-by-step process, who to notify, and mistakes that keep …
- Codicil to a Will: How to Amend Your Will
Learn how to write a codicil to amend your will: what a codicil can and can't change, how to sign and witness it, and when to rewrite the wi…
- Limited Power of Attorney Template: How to Write a Limited Power of Attorney
How to write a limited power of attorney: defining the exact powers, setting an expiration, choosing an agent, and the mistakes that make an…
- Child Custody Agreement Template
How to write a child custody agreement: legal vs. physical custody, parenting-time schedules, holiday rotation, decision-making, and sample …
- How to Sign a Tax Return as Power of Attorney
How to sign a federal tax return as an agent under Power of Attorney, why IRS Form 2848 alone is not enough, and the limited situations the …
- How to Sign a Check as Power of Attorney
How to correctly sign and endorse checks as an agent under a Power of Attorney, the signature format banks accept, and how to avoid personal…
- How to Sign a Car Title as Power of Attorney
How to sign a vehicle title as an agent under Power of Attorney, why most states require a vehicle-specific POA form, and the federal odomet…
- Pet Custody Agreement Template & How-To Guide
How to write a pet custody agreement: who keeps the pet, shared time, expense splits, and the clauses that keep a breakup or co-ownership fr…
- Prenuptial Agreement Template & Prenup Guide
Learn how to write a prenuptial agreement: required financial disclosure, what a prenup can and can't cover, key clauses, and what makes a p…
- Postnuptial Agreement Template: How to Write One
How to write a postnuptial agreement that holds up: required clauses, full financial disclosure, state enforceability rules, and the mistake…
- Wholesale Real Estate Contract Assignment
A guide to wholesale real estate contracts: how assignment works, the key clauses, the assignment fee, and how to write one that closes with…
- Real Estate Referral Agreement Template: How Referral Fees Work
How to write a real estate referral agreement: setting the referral fee, what triggers payment, broker-to-broker rules, RESPA compliance, an…
- Estate Sale Contract: What to Include
How to write an estate sale contract: commission rates, pricing authority, unsold items, payout timing, liability, and the clauses that prot…
- Power of Attorney for Contract Signing: How to Sign on Someone's Behalf
How to use a power of attorney to sign contracts for another person or business: when you need one, the right signature format, and mistakes…
- Hiring a Divorce Coach: What Your Service Agreement Should Include
Hiring a divorce coach? Essential service agreement terms for individuals navigating divorce proceedings and transitions.
- Real Estate Purchase Contract: Protecting Your Rights as a Buyer
Real estate purchase contract guide: Protect your rights as a buyer with essential terms for home buying agreements.
- Real Estate Sales Agreement: Assignment & Commission
How assignment rights and commission structure work in a real estate sales agreement, and what agents and brokers should watch for.
- How Marriage Changes Your Property Rights
Learn how marriage impacts property rights and what changes occur in the legal union.
- How to Change a Will After Signing
A legal guide on how to change a will after signing, including steps, unique aspects, nuances by state, and examples.
- How to File for No Fault Divorce in Missouri
Guide on filing for no fault divorce in Missouri
- Civil Union vs Marriage: What's the Difference
Explore the differences between civil union and marriage to make an informed decision about legal unions.
- Do Doctors Have to Follow a Living Will?
Learn about healthcare decisions and the role of living wills in guiding medical care.
- Legal Guide: Marriage and Eloping
A legal guide on marriage, elopement, and state laws regarding marriage.
- The Ins and Outs of Elopement in Marriage
A legal guide providing insights into elopement in marriage, including state nuances, considerations, and scenarios.
- Domestic Partnership vs Common Law Marriage: A Legal Guide
Understand the differences between domestic partnership and common law marriage.
- Real Estate Financing: Security Deed vs Mortgage
A legal guide comparing security deed and mortgage in real estate financing
- How to Sign Documents as a Power of Attorney
Explore the essential guide on how to sign as a power of attorney, including the unique aspects, state-specific nuances, and practical examp…
- What is an Easement? An Easement Definition
Learn about easements, their significance for real estate management, and how they impact property ownership.
- Should I Incorporate My Real Estate Business: A Guide for Real Estate Professionals
A comprehensive guide for real estate professionals on whether to incorporate their businesses
- The Final Word: Understanding Power of Attorney After Death
Explore the limitations and implications of power of attorney after a person's death, including state-specific nuances and example scenarios…
- Prenuptial Agreement Checklist: A Comprehensive Guide
A legal guide for those interested in marriage focusing on prenuptial agreement checklist
- Avoiding Probate: Strategies for a Smoother Transition of Assets
Learn how to avoid the lengthy, costly, and public probate process through strategic estate planning, including joint ownership, TOD/POD acc…
- Understanding Power of Attorney Obligations to Family Members
Explore the duties and responsibilities of a Power of Attorney towards family members, differences across states, and example scenarios.
- How to File for No Fault Divorce in Rhode Island
Learn how to file for a no-fault divorce in Rhode Island with ease.
- Changes to Child Custody and Visitation During COVID-19
A guide on how child custody and visitation have been impacted by COVID-19
- The Essentials of Power of Attorney: Rights, Limitations, and State Variations
This blog post explores the basics of Power of Attorney, including the rights, limitations, and how these may vary by state, with illustrati…
- Power of Attorney: A Guide to Financial Planning
Learn about the importance of Power of Attorney in financial planning and how it can help manage your assets effectively.
- Navigating Power of Attorney for Elderly Parents: A Comprehensive Guide
This guide explores what Power of Attorney (PoA) is, its types, and step-by-step instructions on obtaining a PoA for elderly parents, includ…
- How to Choose a Power of Attorney Agent: A Comprehensive Guide
This detailed guide explains what a Power of Attorney agent is, how to choose the right one, and the nuances that vary by state.
- Guide to Transferring Property with QTIP Trust
Learn about setting up a QTIP trust for transferring property to a spouse. Discover the unique considerations, state-specific nuances, and e…
- Security Deed vs Mortgage: A Comprehensive Guide for Real Estate Financing
Learn about the differences between security deeds and mortgages in real estate financing.
- 10 Essential Questions for Crafting Your Prenuptial Agreement
Discover the top 10 questions you should ask when creating a prenuptial agreement to ensure your assets and future are protected. Learn how …
- Estate Planning for Military Service Members
Learn about estate planning considerations for military service members.
- Living Will vs Power of Attorney: Navigating the Differences
Explore the distinct differences between a Living Will and Power of Attorney, their roles in estate planning, and how they apply to varying …
- Navigating Through Divorce: Understanding Divorce Agreements
Learn what a divorce agreement is, its importance, uniqueness, and variations by state, with illustrative examples.
- Divorce by Publication: A Comprehensive Guide
A legal guide on divorce by publication for individuals seeking to understand the process
- Who Can Override a Power of Attorney? Legal Insights and State Differences
Explore the complex process of overriding a Power of Attorney (POA), including the legal requirements, court involvement, and state-specific…
- Should I Make or Revise My Living Will for COVID-19 Care?
Learn about the importance of making a living will and whether you should consider revising it for COVID-19 care.
- When and How to Update Your Power of Attorney
Learn when and how to update your power of attorney so your wishes stay accurately represented, including state-by-state rules and practical…
- Separation Before Divorce: Navigating the Legal Path Smartly
Explore the benefits of separation before divorce, including financial, emotional, and parenting considerations. Learn the difference betwee…
- Understanding Power of Attorney: Types, Unique Aspects, and State Nuances
A comprehensive guide to the different types of Power of Attorney, their unique characteristics, and state-specific variations.
- Why You Need a Power of Attorney When Traveling Abroad This Summer
Why a power of attorney is worth setting up before you travel abroad this summer.
- Common Types of Beneficiaries in a Will
Learn about the common types of beneficiaries in a will and how to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
- How to Write a Landlord Reference Letter for Manage Real Estate
A guide on writing a landlord reference letter for manage real estate, including examples, nuances by state, and the importance in the prope…
- Types of Estate Planning Documents
A legal guide for estate planning documents including wills, trusts, power of attorney, and more.
- Can You Divorce Someone Without Them Knowing?
A legal guide for individuals interested in divorce, answering whether it is possible to divorce someone without their knowledge.
- Why You Need a Power of Attorney When Traveling Abroad
Learn why having a power of attorney is essential when traveling abroad this summer.
- Executor and Trustee Duties: Handling the Estate of a Loved One
Learn about the duties and responsibilities of executors and trustees when managing the estate of a loved one.
- Understanding Power of Attorney for Financial Planning
A legal guide on power of attorney for finances focusing on financial planning
- Obtaining a Durable Power of Attorney for a Parent with Dementia or Alzheimer's
Guide on obtaining a durable power of attorney for a parent with dementia or Alzheimer's
- Should My Living Will Allow Agent Consent to an Autopsy
Learn whether your living will should allow your agent to consent to an autopsy.
- Using a Pour Over Will with a Living Trust: A Complete Guide
Learn about using a pour over will with a living trust in estate planning.
- What States Are At Will Employment States?
Guide to understanding at-will employment states for recruiting and hiring