You may have seen headlines claiming an iPhone note was accepted as a valid will. That story does not translate to Nebraska. Under Nebraska law, digital notes and text messages almost always fail as wills—no matter how clear your intent is. Here’s what really works, what doesn’t, and why relying on your phone can put your estate at risk.

Nebraska law doesn’t require a specific font for a valid will—but that doesn’t mean formatting is irrelevant. In real probate cases, wills are scanned, copied, and relied on by clerks, courts, and families under stress. Poor readability, cramped margins, or handwritten changes can create confusion, delay probate, or spark disputes, even when a will is technically valid. This article explains what Nebraska law actually requires, why “boring” formatting is often the safest choice, and how simple layout decisions can help your estate plan hold up in the real world.

Planning for your pets isn’t just sentimental—it’s a real legal issue in Nebraska. Because pets are treated as property under state law, they aren’t automatically protected if you’re hospitalized or pass away. A Will alone won’t cover them during an emergency, and leaving money “to” a pet isn’t legally possible. The good news is Nebraska law gives you strong tools, including Pet Trusts under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-3834, to make sure your animals are cared for exactly the way you intend. With the right mix of a Power of Attorney, a Will or Trust, and clear care instructions, you can prevent your pets from ending up in a shelter and give your caregiver everything they need to step in confidently when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Updating your will isn’t always straightforward, and many people in Nebraska aren’t sure whether they should add a codicil or start fresh with a new will. While a codicil can handle small updates like replacing an executor or correcting basic information, bigger changes—like adding children, removing a beneficiary, or updating how major assets are distributed—are usually better handled with a new will. Nebraska law requires codicils to follow the same signing and witnessing formalities as a will, so “quick fixes” can backfire if the change affects your overall plan. A clean, updated will is often the best way to avoid confusion, prevent probate delays, and ensure your wishes are honored.

Thanksgiving is one of the most natural moments to start an estate planning conversation because the people who matter most are finally in the same room. Families are already thinking about connection, care, and the future, which makes it easier to talk about wills, powers of attorney, guardianship for minor children, and what should happen if someone becomes seriously ill. Most Americans still don’t have a basic plan in place, leaving loved ones vulnerable to Nebraska’s default rules and probate delays. A calm, values-focused conversation at Thanksgiving can prevent confusion later and give everyone the clarity they need to support each other. This guide explains why the holiday works so well, how to bring it up without killing the mood, and what documents most Nebraska families should have.

Most Nebraskans don’t realize how much of their wealth now lives inside apps—crypto wallets, Robinhood, Venmo, Stripe, and even the password managers that control them. These tools work well while you’re alive, but they can turn into sealed vaults the moment you die. Nebraska’s RUFADAA law gives your Personal Representative (Executor) a path to access these accounts, but only if your estate plan explicitly grants that authority. Without it, even $50,000–$100,000 sitting in an app can get locked away for good. This guide breaks down the five types of apps most likely to trap your money and explains how a Digital Access Plan can protect your family from a long, expensive probate.

Choosing who will manage your estate is one of the most personal decisions in planning for the future. For some Nebraska families, naming a relative works perfectly. For others—especially where there’s conflict, blended families, or complex assets—a corporate fiduciary like a bank or trust company can provide the neutrality and professional oversight that keeps things running smoothly. In my practice, I help clients weigh the pros and cons of each option, understand how Nebraska law protects them, and build estate plans that reduce stress, prevent disputes, and honor their long-term goals. If you’re unsure whether a family member or a corporate fiduciary is the right fit, this guide walks you through what you need to know.

Plan ahead with confidence. This guide explains how burial insurance and prepaid funeral plans work in Nebraska, how they fit into your will or trust, and when irrevocable arrangements can help with Medicaid eligibility. Learn the pros and cons of each approach, how to document your wishes, and the practical steps to protect your family and your estate.

When someone dies without a will in Nebraska, the law—not their loved ones—decides who inherits. That can mean long probate delays, frozen bank accounts, and family conflict that lasts years. This post explains how Nebraska’s intestacy laws work, what documents belong in a complete estate plan, and why a will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives matter far more than most people realize. Learn how a Nebraska estate planning attorney can help you protect your family and avoid leaving your legacy to chance—or a Ouija board.

Taylor Swift’s “Wood” may play with luck and superstition, but when it comes to protecting your future, estate planning isn’t about knocking on wood—it’s about having the right legal documents in place. In Nebraska, myths like “I’m too young for a will” or “the state gets everything if I don’t have one” can leave families unprotected. This post breaks down the most common estate planning myths and explains the real tools—like wills, powers of attorney, and transfer-on-death deeds—that safeguard your wishes at every stage of life.

Taylor Swift’s “Elizabeth Taylor” is about legacy, reinvention, and what endures after we’re gone. In this post, we explore how Nebraskans can plan their own legacies through wills, trusts, charitable giving, and even protecting creative works—ensuring that what matters most lives on.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s “Opalite,” this post explores how estate planning in Nebraska can be a form of healing after divorce or loss. Learn why updating wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations isn’t just a legal step—it’s a way to reclaim clarity, protect your loved ones, and move forward with peace of mind.

Being named Executor of a Nebraska estate isn’t about making personal choices — it’s about following the law. Executors must carry out the will exactly as written, pay debts and taxes before distributing property, and act in the estate’s best interests. When they overstep, beneficiaries can petition the court for removal or even hold the Executor personally liable. This guide explains what Executors can and cannot do, why legal advice is critical, and how beneficiaries can protect their rights under Nebraska probate law.

Most families have wills, powers of attorney, or trust documents—but when asked where they’re kept, the answer is often “around somewhere.” In Nebraska, if your loved ones can’t locate the originals quickly, those documents may be treated as revoked, leaving your family unprotected. This article explains the risks, highlights Nebraska law on lost wills and safe deposit boxes, and gives you an actionable checklist to ensure your estate plan is accessible in an emergency.

Thinking about disinheriting someone for bad behavior? Nebraska law makes it more complicated than it sounds. While you can generally disinherit most heirs, vague “crime clauses” in wills and trusts often fail and lead to costly court battles. Learn why Nebraska’s slayer statute already covers certain situations, what rights spouses and minor children still have, and smarter alternatives like incentive trusts that actually work.

Estate planning is more than filling out forms—it’s about protecting your family when life takes unexpected turns. In Nebraska, the difference between “just documents” and ongoing legal guidance can mean peace of mind in a crisis. Learn why working with an experienced estate planning attorney offers clarity, stability, and protection that online templates simply can’t provide.

Drafting a will or trust is a great start—but it’s not enough. In Nebraska, unsigned estate planning documents aren’t legally valid. That means your wishes may not be honored, your family may face probate, and the court—not you—decides what happens next. In this post, we break down what’s required for a valid estate plan, what can go wrong when documents go unsigned, and how to make sure your plan holds up when it matters most.