US Estate Taxation and Policies

Save on skills that make you shine with 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus. Save now

US Estate Taxation and Policies

This course is part of Everyday Tax Concepts: US Individual, Corporate & Estate Tax Specialization

Instructor: Cody Warren, CFP®, CPA

Included with

Learn more

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Understand core estate planning concepts, including probate, asset titling, and compliance with US estate tax rules.
Apply strategies using trusts, charitable giving, and the unlimited marital deduction to manage estate taxes.
Evaluate estate planning tools like life insurance and generation-skipping transfers to preserve wealth.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Everyday Tax Concepts: US Individual, Corporate & Estate Tax Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 7 modules in this course

This course provides an in-depth introduction to United States (US) estate planning, covering essential documents, processes, and the foundations of a basic estate plan. Students will explore key concepts in gift and estate tax, including compliance requirements, as well as the probate process and asset titling.

The course examines transfers and trusts as core estate planning tools, along with strategies for charitable giving and the benefits of the unlimited marital deduction. Participants will also learn about the role of life insurance, special elections, and planning considerations related to generation-skipping transfers and associated taxes. By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of estate planning principles and the tools used to manage and transfer wealth effectively.

This module introduces the basics of estate planning, including essential documents and the probate process in the United States (US).

What's included

4 videos3 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 11 minutes

Welcome to US Estate Taxation and Policies1 minute
Why Estate Planning Matters3 minutes
How Asset Titling and Ownership Work3 minutes
The Probate Process4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 25 minutes

Resource: Annual Limits Guide5 minutes
Core Concepts: Basic Estate Plan Documents10 minutes
The Probate Process: Steps and Consequences10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Knowledge Check: Estate Documents & Probate30 minutes
Graded Assessment: Estate Planning Fundamentals30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Reflective Conversation: Applying Estate Planning Choices10 minutes

This module covers the fundamentals of gift and estate taxes, including compliance and calculation.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 12 minutes

Gift and Estate Tax Basics4 minutes
Step-by-Step Calculation Demo: Computing Taxable Gifts and Estate Tax Liability8 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Core Concepts: Gift Tax Rules, Exclusions, Exemptions, and Estate Tax Filing Basics10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Knowledge Check: Gift and Estate Tax30 minutes
Graded Assessment: Gift and Estate Tax30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Scenario Exercise: Applying Exclusions and Filing Decisions10 minutes

This module explores transfers during life and at death, and the role of trusts in estate planning.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 10 minutes

Why Transfers and Trusts Matter in Estate Planning4 minutes
Common Trust Structures6 minutes

1 readingTotal 15 minutes

Core Concepts: Lifetime Transfers, Testamentary Transfers, and Trust Fundamentals15 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Knowledge Check: Transfers and Trusts30 minutes
Graded Assessment: Transfers and Trusts30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Scenario Exercise: Choosing Transfer Strategies and Trust Types10 minutes

This module discusses strategies for charitable giving and the unlimited marital deduction.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 9 minutes

The Unlimited Charitable Deduction5 minutes
The Unlimited Marital Deduction4 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Core Concepts: Types of Charitable Gifts and Rules for Marital Deduction10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Knowledge Check: Charitable Giving and Marital Deduction30 minutes
Graded Assessment: Charitable Giving and Marital Deduction30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Reflection: Applying Charitable Strategies to Your Practice10 minutes
Apply: Scenario Exercise — Designing a Charitable-Plus-Marital Plan10 minutes

This module examines the role of life insurance in estate planning and special elections.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 8 minutes

Life Insurance in Estate Planning3 minutes
Considering Special Elections in Estate Planning5 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Core Concepts: Types of Life Insurance, Ownership, and Beneficiary Designations10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Knowledge Check: Life Insurance and Special Elections30 minutes
Module Assessment: Life Insurance and Special Elections30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Reflection: Applying Life Insurance Choices to Client Scenarios10 minutes

This module covers generation-skipping transfers and related tax.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 6 minutes

Why Generation‑Skipping Transfers Matter3 minutes
Applying GST Tax Rules3 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Core Concepts: What a Generation‑Skipping Transfer Is and Key Terminology10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Knowledge Check: GST Identification and Quick Calculations30 minutes
Graded Assessment: Generation‑Skipping Transfers 30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Apply: Scenario Exercise — Advising a Family with Potential GST Exposure10 minutes

This module reviews a basic estate plan and the core documents that comprise it.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Cody Warren, CFP®, CPA

Minnesota State University, Mankato

3 Courses26 learners

Offered by

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Explore more from Finance

Status: Free Trial
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Everyday Tax Concepts: US Individual, Corporate & Estate Tax
Specialization
Status: Free Trial
Minnesota State University, Mankato
US Individual Taxation and Policies
Course
Status: Free Trial
Minnesota State University, Mankato
US Corporate Income Taxation and Policies
Course
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Alternatives as We Age: Retirement and Legacy Planning
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.