Estate planning is a critical aspect of the legal profession, especially for lawyers who specialize in this area. It involves creating strategies for how an individual's assets will be distributed upon their death or incapacitation. Understanding the various resources available can significantly enhance the effectiveness of estate planning practices for lawyers. This guide includes a comprehensive list of essential tools, guides, articles, and more, organized by categories to make it easy for you to find what you need.
Tools
1. Nolo’s Estate Planning Software
- Description: Nolo offers software solutions designed specifically for estate planning.
- Key Features: Document creation, legal forms, state-specific guidance.
- Use Cases: Ideal for creating wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
- Link: Nolo
2. LegalZoom
- Description: An online legal service that provides document preparation and legal advice.
- Key Features: Easy-to-use interface, customizable documents, attorney support.
- Use Cases: Great for law firms needing quick access to legal documents.
- Link: LegalZoom
3. Trust & Will
- Description: A platform focused on creating wills and trusts online.
- Key Features: User-friendly interface, affordable pricing, digital storage.
- Use Cases: Ideal for clients looking to set up basic estate plans.
- Link: Trust & Will
Guides
4. American Bar Association (ABA) Estate Planning Guide
- Description: A comprehensive guide from the ABA covering various aspects of estate planning.
- Key Features: Best practices, legal considerations, and ethical guidelines.
- Use Cases: Essential for lawyers needing thorough foundational knowledge.
- Link: ABA
5. The Complete Guide to Estate Planning
- Description: An extensive guide by Nolo that covers all aspects of estate planning.
- Key Features: Step-by-step instructions, illustrative examples, and templates.
- Use Cases: A great resource for lawyers wanting to deepen their understanding.
- Link: Nolo Guide
6. Estate Planning Resources from the IRS
- Description: The IRS provides resources related to estate taxes and planning.
- Key Features: Tax implications, filing requirements, and forms.
- Use Cases: Crucial for understanding tax-related issues in estate planning.
- Link: IRS Estate Planning
Articles
7. "10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes"
- Description: An article detailing frequent pitfalls in estate planning.
- Key Features: Common errors, advice on how to avoid them.
- Use Cases: Helpful for lawyers guiding clients in avoiding costly mistakes.