Estate planning often conjures images of complex legal documents and difficult family conversations—but one of the most overlooked aspects is the tax landscape that awaits heirs after death. While much attention is paid to the federal estate tax, the reality is that far more individuals are likely to encounter estate or inheritance taxes at the state level. In fact, the federal estate tax applies only to estates exceeding $15 million effective January 1, 2026, affecting a tiny fraction of the population — less than 0.1% of all estates nationwide. By contrast, several states impose their...