Wealth management & estate planning resource center

Learn the essentials of estate planning, including wills, trusts, living wills, and strategies to minimize taxes while protecting your assets and loved ones.

Discover how family legacy planning prepares your loved ones to inherit your wealth and carry out your wishes.

Discover vital steps to take for planning legal and financial matters if you face unexpected incapacity. Protect your future today.

If you’re a spouse who’s inheriting an IRA, you’ll have two options for transferring that IRA to yourself: to assume the IRA (often called a spousal IRA as well) or to inherit the IRA. Let’s go through the differences so you can make an informed decision. We also recommend consulting with a tax professional or financial advisor about your individual situation.

You’ve learned you’re the executor/executrix for someone who has passed away. There’s often a lot to do and a lot to take care of, and it can be a very emotional time. We're here to help. Below you’ll find a general overview of the important things you should know.

Review our step-by-step process for account beneficiaries that shows how inheritance transfers for Vanguard accounts work.

Receiving an inheritance—whether a small sum or a large windfall—can be a life-changing event. When a loved one passes away, it's easy to feel the pressure to make big decisions immediately—but you don't have to. Once you've taken the time to breathe, grieve, and heal, you can focus on what to consider when handling your inheritance. When you're ready, here's a guide that can help.

Even do-it-yourself investors would benefit from professional help when it comes to estate planning.

Designating your beneficiaries is an important financial matter, so be sure to make your decisions carefully.

Discover the importance of appointing a corporate trustee for trust management, including benefits like expertise, risk management, and family legacy preservation.

Learn about gift tax rules, exclusions, and limits. Understand annual and lifetime exclusions, rates, and strategies to minimize taxes on your gifts.

Explore how estate taxes can affect your legacy. Understand exemptions, state levies, and planning strategies for minimizing taxation.

Learn how tax-loss harvesting with Vanguard can help you offset capital gains and reduce your tax liability while optimizing your investment strategy.

Learn how to maximize your charitable giving and get the most out of your donations. Get tax benefits and meet your giving goals with these strategies.

Advice on end-of-year charitable giving—ways to give back, donor-advised funds, and tax deduction suggestions for maximizing your impact.

Maximize your impact with philanthropy. Discover family involvement strategies, effective charitable planning, and insights into creating lasting change.