Guides: Estate Planning Research Guide: Introduction

Key to Icons

Georgetown only
On Westlaw
On Lexis
On Bloomberg
PDF
More Info (hover)
Preeminent Treatise
Study Aid

Introduction

This guide is intended as an introduction to resources for research in estate planning and estate and gift taxation. For more relevant information, please see our research guides on Federal Tax, State and Local Tax, or International and Foreign Tax.

Getting Started

50 State Statutory Surveys - Trusts and Estates
Westlaw offers 50 State Statutory Surveys on Descent and Distribution Estate Planning, Probate, Testamentary Trusts, and Trust Administration.
50 State Survery - Estate, Gifts & Trusts
Bloomberg Law allows you to select individual states or all and it creates a report on the Estates and Trusts laws in those jurisdictions.
Bloomberg Law: Tax
For an Estate Tax Planning calculator, go to Federal > Practice Tools > Tax Calculators > Tax. Includes all of the BNA Management Portfolios.

Checkpoint
For an Estate Tax Planning calculator, go to Tools > General Calculators > Tax.
You may create a user ID for customized features like alerts, folders, and saving documents or searches. Register at the Checkpoint registration page using your Georgetown Law email. IDs expire on July 31 and December 31 each year. Re-registration is required.
VitalLaw (formerly Cheetah)
For practice tools like calculators, go to the Practical Content dashboard.

Williams Library Reference

Reference Desk:
Atrium, 2nd (Main) Floor
(202) 662-9140

Request a Research Consultation

Help with Database Troubleshooting

Update History

Revised 06/21 (MK)
Updated 9/24 (RM)
Updated 5/2025 (RM)

Estate Planning Research Guide

Contents