FROM STEPHANIE
A widow wrote to us and asked for a story about the things people say to her. We wrote it, she reviewed every line, and we expanded it to include widowers too. This week, we added the photo and featured the story on our homepage. It's the deep read below. Two smaller things also shipped: our comparison of death-planning platforms now links directly to our records of the Cake and Lantern shutdowns, and the daily brief on your dashboard now draws on 127 verified facts about death law across 51 jurisdictions.
One deep read
What Not to Say to Your Widowed Friends
The "you're lucky" problem, the sentences that keep landing wrong, what the bereavement research says about timelines, why widowers are the group everyone forgets to check on, and what your widowed friend needs from you years past the funeral. Thirteen minutes, and it will change what comes out of your mouth at the next one.
One law update
Washington's estate tax reset on July 1
Washington changed its estate tax twice in a year, and the date of death decides which rules apply. For a death between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the top rate was a temporary 35%, the highest state estate tax rate in the country. For a death on or after July 1, 2026, the top rate is back to 20%, and the exemption is $3,000,000. One catch: the inflation adjustment in the statute has expired, so that $3 million won't rise on its own. We read the Department of Revenue's tables on September 8, and updated the Washington guide and the estate tax calculator.
Three weeks out: Maryland's transfer-on-death deed law takes effect on October 1. The Maryland guide covers it.
One practical thing
Run the quick probate check
Whether your family needs probate depends on how assets are titled, what they're worth, and your state's rules. A house in one person's name may need probate, though some states, California included, offer a shorter process for qualifying estates. A valid transfer-on-death deed, joint ownership with right of survivorship, or a properly funded trust can allow a home to pass outside probate. The probate check asks about real estate and financial accounts, shows common indicators, and links to the estimator for your state. It's free, and it takes about two minutes.
One question answered
"Am I allowed to sell the property sooner if 'Will' states that the deceased has said not to sell property for a period of time?"
A real reader asked. The answer: sometimes. A will’s instruction not to sell property for a set period is not automatically enforceable. The full will, the ownership interest it creates, and applicable state law determine whether the restriction is valid. In California, for example, Civil Code section 711 voids a restriction on selling or transferring property when it conflicts with the ownership interest created.
Don’t sell first and sort it out later. Have a probate attorney review the full will and confirm who has authority to sell, whether the restriction is enforceable, and whether notice or court approval is required. Agreement among beneficiaries alone may not be enough. This is general information, not legal advice. Contact a lawyer for guidance on your situation.
Got a question of your own? Ask it at mortl.com/ask. We answer for real, and the best ones end up here.
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