Guides
Long-form, plain-English, no scare tactics.
Each of these guides is the kind of thing we'd hand a friend who just got the diagnosis, or a sibling who is about to inherit the family house. They are long because the topics are real. They are honest because the alternatives have failed everyone.
Final expense insurance: who actually needs it
Not everyone. If you have $20k in cash and a paid-off house, you can probably skip it. Here is the math, the trade-offs with term life and pre-need plans, and the carriers worth asking about.
Online wills compared: who is actually any good
We tried six. Two were great, two were fine, two we won't link to. Honest notes on each, and the one situation where you should skip them all and call a lawyer.
How much does cremation actually cost in 2026
Direct cremation, cremation with a service, urns, scattering, the cost spread by region, and how to spot a funeral home overcharging by hundreds of percent.
Living will vs healthcare proxy: which do I actually need?
Both, almost always. Here is what each one does, what the other one doesn't cover, and the conversations to have before you sign.
The cost of dying in America in 2026
Funeral, cremation, probate, plot, headstone, estate fees. Median 2026 prices by region, where the spread comes from, and how to plan for the bill before it arrives.
What to do when someone dies: a 15-step checklist
The first hours, the first week, the first month. Written by someone who lost a parent in 2023 and kept the receipts. Long, calm, in the order the work actually happens.
State-by-state.
End-of-life law is state law. Probate timelines, estate-tax thresholds, advance directive registries — they all vary. We have a starter page for every US state.
Pick your state