Estate planning software education and training covers the fundamentals of estate planning software and other issues surrounding the software. Estate planning is important to your peace of mind. You distribute your assets according to your wishes and not by the arbitrary rules of the state.

Estate plan software ranges in price from free to several hundred dollars but paying more does not mean you will get more. Another question that arises is whether you will still need an attorney or will the software cover all facets of estate planning. Read on to discover estate planning software education and training:

1. Review estate accounting software before you buy.

2. Use directories to find estate planning programs.

3. Take a course in estate planning to learn the software for estate planning.

4. Avoid the pitfalls of only using estate planning tax software without the guidance of an attorney.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at estate planning software reviews before you purchase

Check reviews of the software programs available to educate yourself on what they offer and how well they are working for others.

I recommend: Cygnus Business Media offers reviews of several estate planning software programs. Keyt Law reviews a program called "Wealthdocs." Read this review and decide if this program is right for you.

Utilize directories of financial and estate planning software and compare features

Find many estate software programs in one place when you use software directories. Look at the descriptions and make an informed decision.

I recommend: Estate Planning offers a large list of software programs with a bit of information about each program. CPA Journal offers a couple of programs with information about each one. Advisor Tek offers various programs with information about them. Each website is also included for your convenience. Legal Online offers links to directories of estate planning software.

Consider further education on a program for estate planning

Look into courses both online and off on estate planning. Usually these courses teach you how to use their software but they also provide the fundamentals of estate planning including tax consequences and how to change your estate should you need to do that.

I recommend: Webucator offers a course on estate planning. ABA provides a course on estate planning with emphasis on taxes and estate planning. Universal Class offers an online class on basic estate planning so you can learn the fundamentals.

Investigate whether you need attorney help with estate management software

Even though software prepares the documents for you, consider retaining an attorney to look over your paperwork. Different states have different laws and the law changes frequently. Your attorney will make sure the estate planning choices you make are legal and binding and will give you advice on better choices so more of your estate goes to your heirs.

I recommend: Bacon\Wilson provides an informative blog on the dangers of using software without proper attorney advice. Articles Base provides an article that addresses estate planning, using estate planning software, what documents you need, contacting an attorney and other issues about estate planning.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Compare prices and features of the property planning software before you buy it. Make sure it has the features you need and do not pay for unnecessary extras.

Estate planning software programs make a good start towards planning for the inevitable. Estate planning programs help take the worry out of what will happen to your business when you are not around to run it. Choose your successor and determine where your assets will go with sophisticated estate accounting software programs.

There are many estate plan software programs out there, so which one is right for you or your business? Look for the following:

1. Which estate planning software programs have the features you need for your unique situation?

2. Do free software estate planning programs provide all of the necessary features your business needs?

3. Is it necessary to hire a lawyer who specializes in estate planning programs?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the best estate planning software for your needs

Although, there may be no one best estate plan software for everyone, there is a best one for your business.

I recommend: Nolo has filled a gap for common people seeking to do some basic legal proceedings without the high legal cost that is associated with the proceeding. Nolo has succeeded in providing a comprehensive estate-planning software program that addresses all the issues for a fraction of the cost. Superior Software offers an estate accounting software that you can demo free after you register. Both attorneys and consumers use this estate planning, but it is user friendly and easy to understand.
Foster Law Forms provides all the forms to fill out for your estate planning programs bundled on one CD for ease of use.

Select the estate planning software free edition

Before purchasing, you can view demo versions of many of the estate planning software programs available. Download the free estate-planning software, and test-drive it before buying.

I recommend: Brentmark offers free demos on estate planning and many other programs that are worth looking at. Download the free demos, and fill in the forms provided. Then print, and take to your estate planning attorney. Law Firm software offers free estate-planning software demos so you can try before you buy. Their estate plan software offers state-specific forms and document assembly technology to ensure your documents are organized and accurate.
Estate Planning Links offers many free calculators, including Estate Planning tax software, tax tables and family business tax calculators. Be sure to use this site to calculate your estate tax liability.

Hire an attorney who works with estate planning software

You may already have an attorney for your business, but you do need an estate planning specialist to work with the estate planning software program you have chosen.

I recommend: Lawinfo has assembled a list of attorneys in every state who specialize in estate planning programs. Just click on your state and view your choices. Make an appointment for an initial consultation (this is usually free), and take your estate plan software reports with you. This should save money overall in billable time with your attorney. The National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys lists every attorney in all 50 states who practices estate planning programs. They keep up with the latest taxation laws and other changes that can affect your estate.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Review your estate plan yearly. If you decide you want to make changes, make the change in your estate-planning software first, and then copy that to your attorney. This saves money on billable time and gives your attorney a written copy, thus reducing risk of an error from miscommunication.

Wills, Trust, and Estate planning is an ongoing process that helps individuals get their affairs in order. Care must be taken to determine how a person’s assets will be distributed, who will care for them if they are unable to make competent and informed decisions regarding their health care, and who should be designated as a beneficiary or heir to their estate.

Wills, Trust, and Estate software is designed to assist individuals and attorneys in this process. The key to successfully using these products is an understanding of the basic terminology.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Probate

Probate is the legal process of gathering a person's property and belongings, paying off any debts, and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries named in the Will. The Will and the identified legal heirs must be proven and verified.

I recommend: Estatefinance.com elaborates on the probate process.

Beneficiary

Appointing a beneficiary is one way a person can transfer their property or other assets upon the event of their death. Typical beneficiaries are spouses, children, other family members and charities. Designating a beneficiary can also circumvent the probate process in certain situations. Some Wills, Trust, and Estate software packages allow individuals to name the beneficiaries for various parts of their estate.

I recommend: InvestorGuide provides information about a beneficiary’s role in the Wills, Trust, and Estate process.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document providing the authority to another person (usually an attorney) to make legal and financial decisions on behalf of the donor. There are different types of power of attorney, each bestowing different 'powers.' Forms to customize power of attorney agreements are part of Wills, Trusts and Estate software packages.

I recommend: E-law gives an overview on Power of Attorney and answers frequently asked questions.

Estate tax

An estate tax is one of the most long-standing and common means of taxation. This tax is imposed on the deceased individual's estate no matter how the estate is distributed. Estate taxes are generally applied to any assets that are bequeathed to a person's heirs. Most Wills, Trusts and Estate software will calculate and analyze an individual's estate tax.

I recommend: Investopedia provides more information on the details of estate taxes.

Assets

A person's assets take many forms, including financial investments, property, retirement accounts (IRAs and 401(k)s), life insurance policies or business dealings. Wills, Trust, and Estate software provides a vehicle for individuals to disperse their assets to a designated heir or beneficiary.

I recommend: InvestorWords offers several definitions of assets.

Financial and estate planning software has become a necessary tool for most individuals, not just the wealthy. Estate planning involves not just will planning or tax planning, but also financial, retirement, business succession, charitable, medical, disability, legacy and gift planning. Though the scope of estate planning can seem difficult, the best estate planning software or estate accounting software can help simplify the process.

Take the time to learn about estate-planning software and how you might utilize it for your business or personal needs. Here are some helpful resources to get you started. Think of this as "estate planning software for beginners."

1. Familiarize yourself with estate accounting software and estate planning software and learn about the various applications.

2. View and utilize a demo of estate accounting software to see if it fits your needs.

3. Find estate planning programs that are meant for use in law firms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the basics about estate plan software and the functions it contains

Estate planning software takes into account the entire overview of wealth that a person has acquired through the years. This wealth may be tied up in real estate, equities, bonds, companies, savings accounts and more. The estate planning software takes this financial snapshot and determines how to limit tax liabilities, while still carrying forward the wishes of the individual upon the time of their death or when they direct certain aspects of the assets to be dispersed.

I recommend: Visit the website for Wealth Tec. This is a provider of software for estate planning. PenD'Calc is another company that provides estate management software.

Try different estate planning programs to see if they work for your individual needs

Many software companies that make estate planning software offer a free demonstration or webinar of the various applications the software performs. Take the time to view these demos, work with the software and determine if the software will provide the needed solutions as you plan your estate and tax strategies in regard to your assets.

I recommend: Visit the website for BNA Software. It offers a free trial as well as a demo of estate planning tax software. Easy Soft USA also offers a product download from its website.

Locate estate planning software that is targeted for law firms

Like many software applications, they are created for different business entities. Estate planning software is no different. It can be created for the individual, for a certified financial planner to use for their clients, or for law firms to use for their clients. Estate planning software for law firms should be up to date on the latest federal and state laws that apply through download updates. Take the time to familiarize yourself with this software.

I recommend: Visit the website for Lawgic or National LawForms for additional information on estate planning software that is targeted for use at law firms.