Estate planning documents — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives — are governed by the laws of the state where you reside, and execution requirements vary: some states require two witnesses, others require notarization, and some require both. Community property states handle spousal inheritance rights fundamentally differently than equitable distribution states, affecting how assets transfer at death without any formal plan. Estate tax exposure also varies: thirteen states and the District of Columbia impose their own estate tax, with thresholds as low as $1 million in Oregon and Massachusetts — far below the current federal exemption. Medicaid eligibility rules, asset protection rules for trusts, and probate procedures are all state-specific. An estate planning attorney licensed in your state ensures your documents are valid, enforceable, and coordinated with the local rules that will govern your estate. Browse attorneys by state in the grid below.