Resources
Estate Planning Guides
Learn about wills, trusts, legacy letters, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, family vaults, and practical estate planning with VoiceWill™.
May 9, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Write a Will: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families
More than half of American adults have no will. Here is exactly how to write one — what to include, how to make it legal, and the one mistake most people make.
Read More →April 25, 2026 · 3 min read
Living Trust vs Will: Which Does Your Family Need?
A will and a living trust do different things. Most families need both — but knowing which to prioritize first could save your family months of probate court.
Read More →April 11, 2026 · 3 min read
The Complete Estate Planning Checklist (2026)
Twenty-three things your family will need when you're gone — and most people have fewer than five of them documented. Check your list.
Read More →March 28, 2026 · 3 min read
What Is a Legacy Letter? How to Write One for Your Family
A legacy letter is not a legal document. It's the one thing your family will actually read. Here's what it is, what to include, and 10 prompts to help you start.
Read More →March 14, 2026 · 4 min read
Estate Planning for Seniors: The Complete Guide
Seniors are the most likely to need an estate plan and the least likely to have one. Here is everything that should be in place — and why voice-guided planning is uniquely suited for older adults.
Read More →February 28, 2026 · 3 min read
Do I Need a Lawyer to Write a Will? An Honest Answer
You can write an attorney-ready will with state-specific guidance, with attorney review recommended for complex situations. Here is when DIY is the right call — and the four situations where a lawyer is non-negotiable.
Read More →February 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Will vs Trust: Real Cost Comparison for 2026
A will costs $0-$500. A revocable living trust costs $1,500-$3,500. Here is what each actually buys you — and which families should pay for which.
Read More →January 31, 2026 · 3 min read
Holographic Will States: Where Handwritten Wills Are Legal
Roughly half of U.S. states accept handwritten (holographic) wills. Here is the full state list, what makes a handwritten will valid, and why it is still risky.
Read More →January 17, 2026 · 3 min read
Will Witnessing Requirements: What Every State Needs in 2026
Most U.S. states require two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Here is exactly how to sign a will so it stands up in probate.
Read More →January 3, 2026 · 3 min read
Best Online Will Makers in 2026: Honest Comparison
We compared every major online will maker on price, attorney review, state coverage, and document quality. Here is the honest 2026 comparison.
Read More →December 20, 2025 · 3 min read
HIPAA Authorization: Why Every Adult Needs One
Without a HIPAA authorization, your spouse cannot get medical updates if you are hospitalized. Here is what the form does and how to make one in minutes.
Read More →December 6, 2025 · 3 min read
Funeral Planning Checklist: Decisions to Make Now
The 12 funeral decisions your family will be forced to make in the first 48 hours after you pass — and how to make them now in your own voice.
Read More →November 22, 2025 · 3 min read
Advance Care Planning: A Complete 2026 Guide
Advance care planning is the conversation that prevents the worst kind of family conflict. Here is the full 2026 guide, document by document.
Read More →May 10, 2026 · 3 min read
The First 72 Hours After a Death: A Family's Practical Guide
What to do in the first three days after losing someone you love — calmly, in order, with nothing important forgotten. A gentle checklist for families.
Read More →April 26, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Organize Family Documents So Your Loved Ones Aren't Lost
A simple, durable system for organizing your family's most important documents — what to keep, what to shred, where to store it, and who needs to know.
Read More →April 12, 2026 · 3 min read
Estate Planning for Parents: Protecting the People Who Depend on You
If you have children, your estate plan is mostly about three things: who raises them, who manages their money, and how decisions get made if both parents are gone.
Read More →March 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Digital Legacy Planning: Your Online Life After You're Gone
Email, photos, cryptocurrency, social media, subscriptions — half of a modern estate is digital. Here's how to plan for it so your family isn't locked out.
Read More →May 12, 2026 · 6 min read
Living Trust vs. Will: Which One Does Your Family Actually Need?
A living trust avoids probate. A will is cheaper and simpler. Here's how to choose — with the real cost, timeline, and tax trade-offs explained for families.
Read More →May 13, 2026 · 6 min read
How Probate Works: A Plain-English Timeline for Families
Probate is the court process that proves a will and transfers assets. Here's exactly what happens, how long it takes, what it costs, and how to make it easier.
Read More →May 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Estate Tax Explained: Will Your Family Actually Owe Anything?
Most families owe zero federal estate tax — but 17 states have their own thresholds, some as low as $1 million. Here's how to know if your family is exposed.
Read More →May 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Choosing an Executor: The 7 Traits That Actually Matter
Picking the wrong executor delays your estate by years and costs your family thousands. Here are the seven traits that actually predict a good executor.
Read More →May 16, 2026 · 6 min read
Updating Your Will: The 9 Life Events That Require a Rewrite
Most wills are out of date by the time they're needed. Here are the nine life events that should trigger an immediate update — and how to do it properly.
Read More →May 17, 2026 · 7 min read
12 Estate Planning Mistakes That Cost Families Thousands
The same dozen estate planning mistakes show up in nearly every probate file. Avoid these and you'll save your family years of court and tens of thousands of dollars.
Read More →May 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Avoiding the Default
Without explicit planning, blended families face the harshest default outcomes in probate. Here's how to protect both your spouse and your children from a prior marriage.
Read More →May 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples: Filling the Legal Gaps
Unmarried partners have no automatic legal rights when one of them dies or becomes incapacitated. Here are the documents that fill the gap — for any couple.
Read More →May 20, 2026 · 7 min read
Family Emergency Binder: The Complete Document Checklist
If something happened to you tomorrow, could your family find everything they need in one place? Here's the complete emergency binder checklist — section by section.
Read More →May 21, 2026 · 7 min read
What Your Family Needs to Know If You Die: 31 Critical Items
If you died tomorrow, what would your family need to know in the first week? Here are the 31 specific items every family should have written down — today.
Read More →May 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Letter of Instruction: The Document Your Will Doesn't Replace
A letter of instruction tells your family the practical 'how' your will never covers. Here's a complete template and exactly what to include — and what to leave out.
Read More →May 23, 2026 · 8 min read
Password and Account Handoff: Giving Family Legal Digital Access
Without explicit setup, your family is legally locked out of your digital life. Here's how to use password managers and legacy contacts to fix it — securely.
Read More →May 24, 2026 · 6 min read
Organizing Financial Documents So Your Family Isn't Lost
An organized financial file system saves your family 40+ hours of confusion. Here's the seven-folder structure that handles every family's needs.
Read More →May 25, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Talk to Your Parents About Their Will (Without Conflict)
Most adult children avoid the will conversation with their parents — and pay for it later. Here's how to have the conversation respectfully and productively.
Read More →May 26, 2026 · 6 min read
Caregiver Legal Checklist: 10 Documents You Need Before You're Caring
Without the right legal authority, family caregivers can't access medical records, pay bills, or make decisions. Here are the 10 documents to put in place first.
Read More →May 27, 2026 · 7 min read
Caregiver Burnout: 12 Warning Signs You Can't Afford to Ignore
Caregiver burnout has measurable physical and emotional warning signs. Here are the 12 to watch for — and exactly what to do when you notice them.
Read More →May 28, 2026 · 7 min read
Paying for In-Home Care: 7 Funding Sources Most Families Miss
In-home care averages $30/hour. Most families assume Medicare covers it — it doesn't. Here are seven funding sources that actually pay, often missed.
Read More →May 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Caregiver Tax Deductions: What Family Caregivers Can Actually Claim
Family caregivers often miss thousands in legitimate tax deductions. Here's what actually qualifies — medical expenses, dependent claims, and the Credit for Other Dependents.
Read More →May 30, 2026 · 6 min read
Respite Care Options: 6 Ways to Get a Break Without Guilt
Respite care is the difference between sustainable caregiving and burnout. Here are six respite options — what they cost, who qualifies, and how to start.
Read More →May 31, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Become a Paid Family Caregiver: 4 Programs That Actually Pay
Family caregivers can be paid through Medicaid, VA, long-term care insurance, and state programs. Here's exactly how to qualify, apply, and avoid Medicaid pitfalls.
Read More →