Articles
Plain reading on plans and stories
Evergreen pieces, written to be useful whether or not you ever use Legacy Guard.
October 27, 2026 · 6 min read
Why most estate plans are out of date within three years
A signed estate plan describes a family on one particular day. Here is what quietly changes in the first three years, why nobody notices, and what an annual review actually catches.
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October 27, 2026 · 7 min read
What a transfer on death deed does (and where it exists)
A transfer on death deed lets a home pass to a named person without probate. Here is how it works, what it does not do, how it fits with a trust, and which states have one.
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October 27, 2026 · 7 min read
How to record a family story your grandchildren will actually watch
Most family recordings are never watched because they are long, formal, and aimed at nobody in particular. Here is how to make one that a grandchild will play twice.
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October 27, 2026 · 7 min read
What happens to your digital accounts when you die
Email, photos, banking, subscriptions, crypto, social media. What the big platforms actually allow, why passwords in a will are a bad idea, and how to leave your executor a map instead of a key.
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October 27, 2026 · 7 min read
Small estate affidavits by state: a plain guide
Every state has a shortcut for small estates, but the dollar limits run from a few thousand to several hundred thousand and the rules differ. Here is how the affidavit works, what counts, and where to find your state's number.
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October 27, 2026 · 6 min read
How to choose the people who receive your stories
Who should get the recording about the pocketknife, and who should get the letter? A practical way to choose recipients, decide now versus later, and write the message they read first.
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Your state's rules, in plain words
Estate tax, inheritance tax, community property, small estates, and transfer on death deeds for all 50 states and DC.