Estate Planning

Estate Planning is the process of arranging to have your wishes carried out after you die. This includes naming somebody to carry out these wishes, to whom your property will be given, and guardians for any minor children. You do not have to be wealthy to make an estate plan. If you do not do anything, Nevada’s laws of intestate succession will decide who gets your property.

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This page has information on the ways to transfer property upon one’s death. It is recommended that you consult an attorney for advice and to prepare documents such as wills, trusts, or deeds

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General Resources

Estate Planning

Find information on estate planning, including wills, revocable trusts, beneficiary designations and more, from Nevada Legal Services.

Statewide

Succession

Learn about the Nevada statute (law) of how property is distributed when someone dies owning property that is not covered by a will, trust, or beneficiary designation.

Statewide

Wills

More formally called a Last Will and Testament, a Will names a person to handle your affairs after you die (the Executor or Personal Representative) and gives your executor instructions. After you die, validating the Will and carrying out its terms is done through the court process of probate.

Wills

Learn about the Nevada statute regarding requirements for a valid will, including “formal” wills (typed and witnessed) and holographic (handwritten) wills.

Statewide

Holographic Wills

Find information on handwritten wills, from Nevada Legal Services.

Statewide

Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary designations can be made on certain assets, meaning you can name to whom the asset will pass upon your death without that asset having to go through the probate process. One example is signing a “payable on death” designation for your accounts at your financial institution. The beneficiary you name will not have any rights to the property until your death, which protects your asset from their creditors during your life.

Nevada law also allows you to sign a Vehicle Transfer on Death title with the DMV, and a Transfer on Death Deed for real property and record it with your County Recorder.

Vehicle Transfer on Death

Find information and forms from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to designate a beneficiary to receive your car upon your death

Statewide

Real Property Transfer on Death

Find the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act at Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) sections 111.655 to 111.697. You can also find the form of deed upon death.

Statewide

Cremation Authorization

Burial Authorization Form

Find the form for naming a person with authority to order the burial cremation of your remains.

Statewide

Cremation Authorization Form

Find the form for naming a person with authority to order the cremation of your remains. Nevada law (NRS 451.655) has additional requirements for an order for cremation. Legal advice is recommended if you wish to plan for your cremation.

Statewide