Estate

Effective estate management enables you to manage your affairs during your lifetime and control the distribution of your wealth after death. An effective estate strategy can spell out your healthcare wishes and ensure that they're carried out – even if you are unable to communicate. It can even designate someone to manage your financial affairs should you be unable to do so.

Test Your Estate Strategy Knowledge

Estate management can help ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes while managing tax issues.

Understanding the Alternate Valuation Date

Executors can value the estate on the date of death, or on its six-month anniversary —the “Alternate Valuation Date."

A Brief History of Estate Taxes

Federal estate taxes have long since been a lucrative source of funding for the federal government.

• Articles

  Will Power

  Preparing for the eventual distribution of your assets may not sound enticing. But a will puts the power in your hands.

  Estate Management Checklist

  Is your estate in order? This short quiz may help you assess your overall strategy.

  Choosing a Business Structure

  Entrepreneurs all face the same question, “Which business structure should I adopt?”

  Understanding the Alternate Valuation Date

  Executors can value the estate on the date of death, or on its six-month anniversary —the “Alternate Valuation Date."

  Test Your Estate Strategy Knowledge

  Estate management can help ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes while managing tax issues.

  A Brief History of Estate Taxes

  Federal estate taxes have long since been a lucrative source of funding for the federal government.

  View all articles

• Calculators

  What Is My Life Expectancy?

  Estimate how many years you may need retirement assets or how long to provide income to a surviving spouse or children.

  What Is My Current Net Worth?

  Use this calculator to estimate your net worth by adding up your assets and subtracting your liabilities.

  What's My Potential Estate Tax?

  This calculator helps estimate your federal estate tax liability.

  View all calculators