Trusts, powers of attorney and what happens at death
Estate documents only work if they meet your state's rules and do what you think they do. These guides show what the law requires, what each document can and can't do, and when it stops working.
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Trusts
- Trust without an attorneyCalculator
What the law requires, the DIY steps and what a lawyer adds.
Powers of attorney
- Does power of attorney end at death
Why it stops at death, and who handles things after.
The rules behind these guides
- State trust codes
- what it takes to create a valid trust; many follow the Uniform Trust Code, such as Florida Statutes chapter 736
- State power of attorney laws
- how a power of attorney is signed and when it ends, for example Florida § 709.2109 and New York General Obligations Law § 5-1511
- State probate codes
- what goes through the court after a death, and what passes outside it by beneficiary designation, joint ownership or trust
Other topics
Found a number that doesn't match your state's current rule, or need a guide we don't have? Write to us. These guides are general information, not legal advice; see our legal disclaimer.