Don't want your family going to court to inherit what you leave them? Read the free guide for your state.

California collects no estate or inheritance tax, but its statute sets probate fees: $46,000 for the executor and attorney on a $1 million estate. Six tools keep a family out of probate court.

Florida has no estate or inheritance tax, but its statutes presume $60,000 in probate fees on a $1 million probate estate. Homestead rules limit who can inherit the house. Five tools skip probate.

New York taxes estates above $7,350,000, and an estate 5 percent over that loses the whole exclusion. Five tools skip Surrogate's Court, and a sixth settles small estates.

Pennsylvania taxes inheritances from the first dollar: 4.5% for most children, 12% for siblings, 15% for most others, trust or no trust. What skips probate, and what's still taxed.

Texas has no estate or inheritance tax, and its constitution now bars one. Six tools skip probate there, including a transfer on death deed.

Hawaii taxes estates above $5,490,000 while the federal exemption is $15,000,000. Six tools keep your family out of Hawaii probate, and one filing saves a spouse's exclusion.

Washington taxes estates above $3,000,000 with no portability, and life insurance you own counts. Probate is cheap. Five tools skip or shrink it, and three tax facts decide the rest.

New Jersey has no estate tax, but its inheritance tax process can freeze accounts and real estate even for your children. Five tools that skip probate, and what they can't fix.

Maryland is the only state with both an estate and inheritance tax. The legal tools that keep your family out of probate court, plus the main move that beats the 10% tax.

Kentucky has no estate tax, but its inheritance tax runs up to 16% for heirs outside close family, even without probate. The tools that skip probate, and what avoids the tax.

Ohio has no estate or inheritance tax. The cost of dying in Ohio is probate itself: 6 to 12 months and tens of thousands of dollars in fees on a $1 million estate. Six legal tools keep your family out of it.

Alabama has no estate or inheritance tax, so the cost of dying is probate itself: months of court and tens of thousands of dollars in fees on a $1 million estate. Five legal tools keep your family out of it.