Estate Planning Blog
Expert insights on estate planning, probate, financial advising, and will management across the US and Canada.
EstateClarity vs Trust & Will Compared
Compare EstateClarity and Trust & Will side by side. Features, pricing, and which estate planning tool fits your needs in 2026.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 10, 2026
EstateClarity vs FreeWill Compared (2026)
Compare EstateClarity and FreeWill — two free estate planning tools. See how they differ in features, pricing, and approach.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 10, 2026
EstateClarity vs DIY Estate Planning
Compare DIY estate planning with EstateClarity's AI analysis. Learn when doing it yourself works and when you need smarter tools to understand your will.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 14, 2026
Best Estate Tools for Advisors (2026)
Compare the top estate planning tools for financial advisors in 2026. Features, pricing, and ROI analysis for EstateClarity, Trust & Will, Vanilla, Wealth.com, and Snug.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 17, 2026
Best Online Will Analysis Tools Compared (2026)
Compare the best online will analysis tools in 2026. AI-powered analysis vs. lawyer review vs. DIY — features, pricing, and what each approach actually finds.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 20, 2026
Estate Inventory Worksheet (Free Download)
Free estate inventory worksheet with every category executors need. Track real estate, accounts, investments, insurance, debts, and digital assets.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 23, 2026
Probate Timeline by State (2026)
Probate takes 6 months to 2+ years depending on your state. See timelines for all 50 US states and Canadian provinces plus factors that speed or slow it.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 26, 2026
How to Read a Will in Plain Language
Learn how to read and understand your will in plain language. Decode legal terms, spot red flags, and know exactly what your will says.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 28, 2026
Advisor's Guide to Estate Visualization
How financial advisors use estate visualization to win clients, retain AUM, and transform estate planning conversations. Practical guide with ROI data.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 1, 2026
Probate Cost by State (2026 Guide)
Probate costs range from 3-8% of estate value. See court fees, attorney costs, and executor fees for all 50 US states and 10 Canadian provinces.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 4, 2026
Can an Executor Be a Beneficiary? Complete Legal Guide
Yes, an executor can be a beneficiary of the same will. Learn when this dual role works, when it creates conflicts, and state-specific rules.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 6, 2026
Executor Checklist: First 30 Days (Free)
Free executor checklist covering every task in your first 30 days. Day-by-day guide for death certificates, probate filing, and estate management.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 9, 2026
Estate Inventory Worksheet (Free Download)
Free estate inventory worksheet with every category executors need. Track real estate, accounts, investments, insurance, debts, and digital assets.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 23, 2026
Probate Timeline by State (2026)
Probate takes 6 months to 2+ years depending on your state. See timelines for all 50 US states and Canadian provinces plus factors that speed or slow it.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 26, 2026
How to Read a Will in Plain Language
Learn how to read and understand your will in plain language. Decode legal terms, spot red flags, and know exactly what your will says.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 28, 2026
Advisor's Guide to Estate Visualization
How financial advisors use estate visualization to win clients, retain AUM, and transform estate planning conversations. Practical guide with ROI data.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 1, 2026
What Every Executor Needs to Know About Estate Taxes
Estate taxes can catch executors off guard. Here's what you need to know about federal estate tax, state inheritance taxes, and Canadian probate fees.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 5, 2026
Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan: What Happens to Your Online Life When You Die?
Cryptocurrency, social media accounts, digital photos, online subscriptions — your digital life needs an estate plan too. Here's how to protect your digital assets.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 8, 2026
When Can You Contest a Will? A Guide for Beneficiaries and Families
Think something is wrong with a loved one's will? Here are the legal grounds for contesting a will in the US and Canada — and what you need to know before you start.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 11, 2026
Why Our Client Experience Lead Is AI
Meet Sarah Mitchell, EstateClarity's AI-powered Client Experience Lead. We're transparent about using AI — here's why that builds more trust than hiding it.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished May 10, 2026
California Probate Process: A Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide to California probate in 2026. Learn the step-by-step process, costs, timelines, and how to avoid common pitfalls as an executor in California.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 5, 2026
Texas Probate Process: A Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide to Texas probate in 2026. Learn about independent administration, muniment of title, costs, and timelines for Texas executors.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 8, 2026
Florida Probate Process: A Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide to Florida probate in 2026. Learn about formal and summary administration, homestead rules, costs, and executor responsibilities in Florida.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 12, 2026
New York Probate Process: A Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide to New York probate in 2026. Learn about Surrogate's Court procedures, SCPA requirements, costs, and executor duties in New York.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 15, 2026
Illinois Probate Process: A Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide to Illinois probate in 2026. Learn about independent and supervised administration, small estate rules, costs, and executor duties in Illinois.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 17, 2026
Pennsylvania Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries
Navigating Pennsylvania probate? Learn the step-by-step process, typical timelines, costs, Pennsylvania inheritance tax rules, and how to simplify estate administration.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 20, 2026
Ohio Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries
Everything executors and beneficiaries need to know about Ohio probate — step-by-step process, timelines, costs, small estate options, and how to simplify estate administration.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 23, 2026
Georgia Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries
How does probate work in Georgia? Learn the step-by-step process, Georgia's unique Year's Support law, Common Form vs Solemn Form probate, timelines, and how to simplify estate administration.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 27, 2026
North Carolina Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries
How does probate work in North Carolina? Step-by-step guide to NC probate, Clerk of Superior Court process, timelines, costs, caveat proceedings, and how to simplify estate administration.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished January 30, 2026
Michigan Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries
How does probate work in Michigan? Complete guide to supervised vs. unsupervised administration, timelines, costs, small estate affidavit, and Transfer-on-Death deeds.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 2, 2026
British Columbia Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries
How does probate work in BC? Learn the step-by-step process, BC probate fees, the Wills Variation right, deemed disposition tax rules, and how to simplify estate administration in British Columbia.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 5, 2026
Alberta Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Executors and Beneficiaries
How does probate work in Alberta? Learn the step-by-step process, Alberta's low probate fees (max $400), deemed disposition tax rules, and how to administer an Alberta estate efficiently.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 9, 2026
Ontario Probate Process: A Complete Guide for Estate Trustees and Beneficiaries
How does probate work in Ontario? Learn the Certificate of Appointment process, Ontario's Estate Administration Tax (1.5%), dependants' relief rules, deemed disposition, and Ontario's small estate simplified procedure.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 11, 2026
5 Things Your Financial Advisor Should Review in Your Will
Estate planning checklist for clients. What financial advisors should examine in wills to align investments, beneficiaries, and asset flows.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 15, 2026
How Financial Advisors Use Estate Visualization to Retain Clients
Use estate planning visualization to differentiate your practice and deepen client relationships. Tools that show how wealth actually flows.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 18, 2026
Why Beneficiary Designations Override Your Will (And What to Do About It)
How beneficiary designations override your will, common mistakes, and how to align them with your estate plan.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 20, 2026
The Insurance Gap Most Estate Plans Don't Address
How financial advisors identify and close the insurance gap in client estate plans. A high-value planning opportunity.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 23, 2026
How to Talk to Your Family About Your Estate Plan
Guide to discussing wills, beneficiaries, and inheritance with family. Tips for uncomfortable but necessary conversations.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished February 26, 2026
How Probate Works in New Jersey: A Complete Guide for Executors and Families
Understand how New Jersey probate works, including the Surrogate's Court process, timelines, costs, NJ inheritance tax rules, and how to minimize probate exposure.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 1, 2026
How Probate Works in Massachusetts: A Complete Guide for Executors and Families
Learn how Massachusetts probate works, including the Probate and Family Court process, the $2M state estate tax threshold, MUPC procedures, timelines, costs, and how to minimize probate exposure.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 4, 2026
The Executor's First 30 Days: A Complete Action Checklist
Just been named executor? Here's exactly what to do in the first 30 days after someone dies — step by step, deadline by deadline, so nothing falls through the cracks.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 7, 2026
How Probate Works in Washington State: A Complete Guide
Learn how probate works in Washington State — timelines, costs, nonintervention administration, the $2.193M state estate tax, small estate rules, and how to avoid probate entirely.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 10, 2026
How Probate Works in Colorado: A Complete Guide
Understand the Colorado probate process — Uniform Probate Code, informal vs. formal administration, small estate rules (10-day affidavit), no state estate tax, and how to avoid probate entirely.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 13, 2026
How Probate Works in Arizona: A Complete Guide for Executors and Families
Learn how Arizona probate works — UPC-based informal and formal administration, small estate thresholds ($75K/$100K), Arizona Beneficiary Deed, community property rules, no state estate tax, and how to minimize probate exposure.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 17, 2026
How Probate Works in Virginia: A Complete Guide for Executors and Families
Understand Virginia probate step by step — the Commissioner of Accounts system, qualification process, timelines, costs, and strategies to simplify estate administration for your family.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 20, 2026
How Probate Works in Minnesota: A Complete Guide for Executors and Families
Understand Minnesota probate: timelines, costs, the Uniform Probate Code process, small estate rules ($75K threshold), the $3M MN estate tax, and how to protect your family with clear estate planning.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 23, 2026
How Probate Works in Saskatchewan: A Complete Guide for Executors and Families
Understand Saskatchewan probate: Court of King's Bench process, Grant of Probate, timelines, costs, small estate rules, farmland rules, and how to settle an estate in SK.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 26, 2026
Business Succession Planning: How to Protect Your Business and Your Family
Learn how to create a business succession plan that protects your company, partners, and family. Step-by-step guide with key strategies, buy-sell agreements, and common mistakes to avoid.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished March 30, 2026
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Protecting Everyone You Love
Estate planning for blended families is complex but critical. Learn how to protect your spouse, children from prior relationships, and stepchildren using QTIP trusts, spousal trusts, and the right strategies.
By Sarah Mitchell · AI Client Experience LeadPublished April 2, 2026