Estate Planning Newsletter Basic Vocabulary and Execution   A will is a legal document that explains where a person wants or does not want his property to go after his death. A will becomes effective upon death and until then, it can be revoked or amended. If a person dies without a will, a court will determine where his property goes according to state law. More...   Inheritance Without Planning Means No Provisions Beyond the Default Plan   When a person dies intestate (without making and leaving a will), each state provides a default plan (usually known as the statute of descent and distribution) under with his or her net estate is disposed. When a person dies intestate, there is no adding of provisions beyond the default plan. The default plan is only the default plan and nothing more. This article discusses the disadvantages of descent and distribution related to the inability to add provisions beyond the default plan.More...   Gifts During Life - I   An intentional transfer of property made from the generosity of the transferor is known as a gift. The person who makes a gift is known as the donor. The person who receives a gift is known as the donee.More...   Revoking a Will, Methods   As a general rule, a will can be changed or cancelled at any time before the testator's death. A will may be revoked (i.e., recalled or cancelled). This article discusses methods for revoking a will.More...   Limited Inheritance in Unusual Circumstances   State statutes of descent and distribution are usually supplemented by other statutes or court rulings that limit or prohibit inheritance in unusual circumstances. This article discusses some of those unusual circumstances.More...