About Trust & Will Guide
Free, research-backed guides that help everyday people understand estate planning — without the legal jargon or the $500-an-hour bill.
Our Mission
Estate planning is one of the most consequential things a person can do for their family — and one of the most consistently avoided. The most common reason people give isn't cost or complexity: it's that they don't know where to start.
Trust & Will Guide exists to fix that. We write clear, accurate guides on wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, and related topics — grounded in primary legal sources, updated when the law changes, and written for people who are not attorneys.
We are not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, and nothing on this site should be construed as such. What we do provide is accurate, well-sourced information that helps you understand your options, ask better questions, and make more informed decisions — whether you work with an attorney or use an online estate planning service.
How We Research and Write
Primary Sources
We cite the IRS, Cornell Law LII, the Uniform Law Commission, CFPB, ABA, and federal statutes — not secondary summaries of those sources.
Legal Accuracy
Every substantive claim is traceable to a numbered citation. We flag state-law variations and note when rules have changed recently.
Kept Current
Tax thresholds, exemption amounts, and statutory rules change. We review and update guides when federal or widely-adopted uniform law changes.
Our full research methodology — including our citation standards, source hierarchy, and update process — is described in our Editorial Standards.
What We Cover
Our guides cover the core topics of personal estate planning for U.S. residents:
- Wills and testaments
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Probate and how to avoid it
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives and proxies
- Beneficiary designations
- Estate and inheritance taxes
- Digital assets in estate planning
- Special needs trusts
- Guardianship for minor children
- Estate planning for new parents
- Executor and trustee responsibilities
Attorney Directory
In addition to our guides, we maintain a directory of estate planning attorneys across the United States, organized by state and city. Directory listings are based on publicly available business information and user reviews. We do not accept payment for placement in our directory, and inclusion does not constitute an endorsement. Always verify an attorney's credentials and licensing with your state bar association before engaging their services.
Important Disclaimer
Trust & Will Guide is an educational resource, not a law firm. The information on this site is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Estate planning laws vary by state and change over time. Nothing on this site creates an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation.
Contact & Corrections
If you believe any information on this site is inaccurate, outdated, or missing an important nuance, we want to know. Accuracy is our highest priority. You can reach us at editorial@trustandwillguide.com.