Legal Disclaimer

EZstate provides general educational information about the administrative steps that commonly follow a death. It is not a law firm and does not practice law, prepare legal documents for you, or represent you. It does not provide tax, accounting, investment, insurance, immigration, medical, or mental-health advice. Using EZstate does not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship, and nothing you enter is protected by attorney-client privilege.

Probate, intestacy, guardianship and tutorship, small-estate thresholds, filing deadlines, and tax rules differ by state, by county, and by country, and they change. Louisiana, community-property states, and cross-border estates follow materially different rules than the general guidance shown here. Deadlines can be strict, and missing one can have permanent consequences. Confirm every date and requirement with the court or a licensed professional in the correct jurisdiction.

Foreign assets, dual citizenship, apostilles, consular legalization, sworn translation, foreign notarial acts, forced-heirship rules, foreign estate and inheritance taxes, and U.S. reporting obligations such as FBAR and Form 3520 are highly technical. EZstate flags these situations so you know to ask about them, it does not resolve them. Engage a qualified cross-border estate professional.

Parts of EZstate, including "Ask your EZstate Guide," are generated by artificial intelligence. AI output can be wrong, incomplete, or outdated, and can state incorrect information confidently. Treat it as a starting point for questions to ask a professional, never as a final answer.

Attorneys, counselors, agencies, and organizations listed in EZstate are provided for convenience only. They are not endorsements, referrals, or verifications of licensure, quality, pricing, or availability. Confirm credentials and terms yourself before hiring anyone.

Many steps described in EZstate may only be taken by someone with legal authority , an executor, personal representative, administrator, trustee, or court-appointed guardian or tutor. Acting for an estate without that authority can create personal liability. If you are unsure whether you have authority, ask a lawyer first.

EZstate is not a crisis service. If you or someone else may be in danger, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, U.S.) or dial 911. You can also browse support resources.

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