Estate Documents
See what each core document does, when it operates, who controls it, how it interacts with other documents, and when to review it.
9 entradas de referencia
An advance directive records health-care instructions and, depending on the state's form, may also appoint an agent; a living will typically addresses treatment preferences in defined circumstances.
Idea clave: Terminology and execution rules vary by state.
Leer la guía completaA beneficiary designation directs a contract or account at death and usually controls that asset independently of the will, subject to the plan terms and governing law.
Idea clave: Primary and contingent beneficiaries should be reviewed together.
Leer la guía completaCryptocurrency inheritance requires three plans that work together: legal authority, a secure method for authorized people to locate and control the asset, and records sufficient to administer and report the transfer without exposing private keys.
Idea clave: Inventory each holding by custody model—exchange, qualified custodian, software wallet, hardware wallet, multisignature arrangement, or another protocol—because the recovery path differs.
Leer la guía completaDigital-asset planning coordinates legal consent, fiduciary authority, provider tools, security, and practical instructions for online accounts, devices, cryptocurrency, files, and intellectual property.
Idea clave: A password list alone may not provide legal authority.
Leer la guía completaA financial power of attorney authorizes an agent to handle specified property and financial matters during the principal's life; durability determines whether authority survives incapacity under governing law.
Idea clave: Authority ends at death; the executor or trustee then acts under different authority.
Leer la guía completaA HIPAA authorization can permit specified people to receive protected health information; it supports communication but does not itself grant medical decision-making authority.
Idea clave: The authorization should identify permitted information, recipients, purpose, and expiration or event as required.
Leer la guía completaA health care power of attorney names an agent to make health decisions when the conditions in the document and state law are met.
Idea clave: The agent role is distinct from a financial power of attorney.
Leer la guía completaTOD and POD arrangements can transfer eligible securities, deposit accounts, vehicles, or real estate outside probate where governing law and the institution recognize them.
Idea clave: Availability and real-estate deed requirements vary by state.
Leer la guía completaTrust funding is the process of making the trust the owner or effective beneficiary of selected property using the method appropriate to each asset.
Idea clave: Signing a trust does not automatically move property into it.
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