Product Description
A lawyer and award-winning journalist offers a plain-English guide to a stressful topic, with examples from the estate plans of Paul Newman, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Michael Jackson and others. Set in the context of the current economy and tax law, the book is full of essential information about: protecting a spouse or partner, providing for young or disabled children, preserving retirement benefits, paying for education and health care, transferring a family business and designing a charitable legacy. To-Do Lists after each chapter leave no excuses for procrastinators.

KEEPING CURRENT
The material in this book will be continually updated to reflect legal developments that might affect your estate plan. As changes occur, the pertinent sections of this book will be revised and available at the book Web site. You can register at the site to receive e-mail notifications of these changes.

An annotated Table of Contents, phrased in terms of personal or financial goals, doubles as a checklist:
1 Nothing Lasts Forever: Read this chapter even if you are hearty and clear-headed.
2 Who Gets What and How Much Is Enough? Read this chapter if you want to provide for specific people, charities or pets in your estate plan.
3 Beware the Tax Bite: Read this chapter if you have more than $3.5 million of assets or might some day.
4 Protect Your Spouse or Partner: Read this chapter if you are involved in any committed relationship.
5 What if? Provide for Young or Disabled Children: Read this chapter so you can anticipate their needs and make sure they will be nurtured.
6 Trusts - Not Just for the Wealthy: Read this chapter even if you think you don t need this very useful tool.
7 Preserve Retirement Accounts: Read this chapter if you have a retirement account, such as an IRA or a 401(k).
8 Be Smart About Life Insurance: Read this chapter whether or not you have life insurance.
9 Pay for Health Care and Education: Read this chapter if anyone you love could use help with these expenses, now or in the future.
10 Home Base - Factoring In Real Estate: Read this chapter if you own your primary residence or vacation home or might move to a different state.
11 Hidden Traps When Crossing Borders: Read this chapter if you or a family member is a citizen of another country, lives abroad or has foreign investments.
12 The Family Business - a Legacy or a Headache? Read this chapter if you have your own business or a share in a family-held enterprise.
13 Subsidize Friends or Family: Read this chapter if you would like to offer financial help to adult children, grandchildren, parents, siblings or others.
14 What You Can Do for Grandchildren: Read this chapter if you would like to provide a financial cushion for your descendants in the years ahead.
15 Give Now, Save Tax Later: Read this chapter if saving taxes is a high priority.
16 Make Lifetime Gifts Go Further: Read this chapter if you have the resources to transfer large sums of money while you are alive.
17 Your Charitable Legacy: Read this chapter if there are causes you care deeply about and would like to benefit now or later.
18 Roadblocks to Creditors: Read this chapter if you worry about being sued.
19 From Planning to Action: Read this chapter even if you already have lawyers and financial advisers whom you trust.

FROM THE INTRODUCTION:
If the thought of doing an estate plan gives you goosebumps, you are not alone. But if you do not address thi ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Good, practical advice
This book is a very good introduction to estate planning for the average person. It is well thought out, and has very practical advice for the average person. Some of the best advice is for families, especially those with young children.

The author stresses the point repeatedly that parents must be prepared to provide for their children and make their final wishes clear. Otherwise family bickering canmake a difficult time even harder when loved ones are forced to speculate what the wishes of their deceased loved ones were.

I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants practical advice on estate planning and is not sure where to start.

BASIC ESTATE PLANNING BOOK
"Estate Planning Smarts" is a basic guide to the concepts of Estate Planning.

Please be aware of the following:

1) This book is NOT an in depth guide to the intricacies of Estate Planning.

2) I recommend that you buy four to five books to understand the concepts of Estate Planning.This would be Book One of the five books.The goal is to understand the intricacies of Estate Planning and be knowledgeable before consulting your Attorney.

3) When you become knowledgeable, from the books and on line sources you consult,
only then consult your Attorney to make certain that everything is legally correct.

Note: Once again, "Estate Planning Smarts" is only a basic book on this topic.You will for a certainty need other reference books and other resources.

Good luck to all!

A choice pick for those who plan for the worst wisely
A wise man realizes he isn't immortal. "Estate Planning Smarts: A Practical, User-Friendly, Action-Oriented Guide" is a guide for those who want to plan a wise will to be followed after they pass on, to help with the chaos that is normally associated with inheritance. From the power of attorney, to caring for one's children in the future, charity, legally evading the taxman, and more, "Estate Planning Smarts" is a choice pick for those who plan for the worst wisely.

Excellent Resource
Estate Planning Smarts eases the reader into a subject that is often difficult by focusing on an underlying purpose of estate planning: taking care of yourself and those you love. In this context, the Ms.Jacobs discusses the documents and tools that make-up an estate plan, the estate tax, and different assets and family situations that affect planning.All the while, the book uses language that both a lay person and an estate planner can understand and appreciate.

Ms. Jacobs divides the book into chapters by relevance to the reader, making it easy to find a particular topic or read the entire book without feeling overwhelmed.Each chapter is further subdivided by descriptive headings so as to give the reader a roadmap for that particular topic.Within each chapter, colored blocks set-off useful "to-do" lists, real-life examples, charts, and tables.The back of the book contains a 20-page glossary of estate planning terms and a list of resources for further understanding and action.Updated chapters to the book will be provided online at [...], insuring that the reader stays up-to-date.

Deborah Jacobs uses her prior years experience of writing in this field to create a book that really is practical, user-friendly, and action-oriented. Because the book uses an easy-to-read format, explains complex topics simply, and prompts the reader to think about and organize for effective estate planning, Estate Planning Smarts is a great book for estate planners to make available to new clients in need of a basic information.

Estate Planning Smarts
This is an excellent book worthy of anyone in the Financial Services Business to give away to clients. In addition, it is a valuable resource and a wealth of information that has been simplified and a comfortable read to learn about Estate Planning. The author makes sure that this subject matter is in a constant change and instructs the reader how to adapt to changes in the future.
Lee Scher
Financial Representative of Guardian Life Insurance Company ... Read more

Product Description
No one can take their money, possessions, or land with them when they die--but they can ensure that their heirs are well taken care of. Updated to reflect the latest estate and tax laws, 60-Minute Estate Planner simplifies the complicated process of estate planning, covering what kind of information readers need to gather before they can begin. Packed with helpful forms, charts, and worksheets, the book shows readers how to:

* communicate with heirs * manage medical decisions and provide for the special needs of the young and old * reduce, defer, and eliminate as much gift, estate, inheritance, and other tax as possible * use estate planning professionals and save on professional fees for planning and administration

The book clarifies all the different possible elements of an estate plan, including IRAs, living trusts, life insurance, annuities, and more. Thoroughly revised and filled with simple-to-follow instructions, this trusted resource allows readers to ensure that their memory lives on by providing for the ones they love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Title can be misleading...
I think this book does a fine job of describing different estate planning strategies and vehicles...as far as a college educated layman can tell with all the legally detailed and complex descriptions provided.

The title and editorial reviews were a little misleading to me, perhaps because I was hoping to learn how to create my own estate plan without the pariticipation of a lawyer. Forget it. The legal issues and procedures are too complicated. Lawyers have once more created a situation through the law that makes it impossible for the lay person to do straight forward things such as to assure his relatives obtain his estate without having to pay lawyers a whole stack of money.

What I had hoped to do was learn how to create a living trust and get a will actuated without a lawyer, or at least with minimal advice from one. Wrong book for me. Unrealistic hope for almost anyone.

What the 60-Minute Estate Planner is intended to do is enable you to tell a lawyer what it is you want the lawyer to do for you in an hour. The lawyer will then charge you thousands of dollars to do it.

The book is alternately repetitive - each chapter seems to start with several pages of the same wordy assertions of the need for estate planning - and indecipherably detailed and opaque descriptions of different types of trusts.

You can learn what you need to know to talk to an estate planning lawyer on the Internet for free. Getting it done is going to cast you thousands of dollars in lawyer's fees, so being able to make your plan in your lawyer's office in less than an hour is pretty meaningless. Good luck.

Best book on estate planning because of flow charts
Back in 1999, I decided to do some estate planning.I decided to buy about 5 books to first learn the basics of estate planning......then see an estate planning attorney to set up my estate plan.

Of the five books that I read on estate planning, Kraemer's book was by far the best book. The main reason I liked Kraemer's book was his use of example flow charts, which show what happens to the money as each spouse dies.These flow charts also allow you to easily calculate the estate tax due at each step of the process.

The other books were very dry and boring.......and without the flow chart approach...it was not clear to me how bypass trusts work.

I highly recommend Kraemer's book as the best book on estate planning.......primarily due to the flow charts.

Kraemer also explains that the use of disclaimers can be a good thing.......and a good way to deal with the changing estate tax laws.

Kraemer's book allowed me to understand the basics of estate planning and bypass trusts.I was able to save time and money then working with an estate planning attorney to set up our bypass trusts.

In this age of full disclosure, it can be noted that I am the author and publisher of the book INDEX MUTUAL FUNDS: HOW TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE AND BEAT THE PROS. This book is an introduction to the concept of index funds is and is sold on Amazon.I am also a contributing author to the book THE BOGLEHEADS GUIDE TO RETIREMENT PLANNING available from Amazon with an estimated release date of October 2009.I have also written 21 short stories on investing which are also available on Amazon.

Other good books on investing which may help you build a large enough estate so you get to worry about the problem of estate planning are shown below:

The Richest Man in Babylon
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
The Millionaire Next Door
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing

60-Minute Estate Planner
This book, like it's earlier volumns is a must read for anyone facing the challenges of estate planning either for themselves or their loved ones.

60-minute estate planner
The 60-Minute Estate Planner has been an invaluable resource.I have all three editions and continue to find this book very useful.It provides quick and accurate answers to a variety of questions.This is the best book I've seen on estate planning.

H. Thuesen

Estate Planning Required Reading
Required reading for those wishing to estate plan with a systematic and informed approach. Excellent step by step directions help the reader learn information needed to work efficiently with an estate planner or other professionals and achieve desired results.Unique, innovative charts, flow diagrams and planning documents clarify concepts difficult to grasp through words alone.If you have an estate plan in place this excellent volume will confirm its appropriateness and provide helpful fine-tuning tips.This book contains all the various scenarios of estate planning allowing the reader to choose the relevant ones.It is interesting, well written and a valuable reference resource. ... Read more

Product Description

A trust and estate lawyer to the stars offers an engaging look at how to avoid numerous estate planning mistakes

In The 101 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes, author Herbert Nass, an estate planner for some of today's most famous celebrities, offers an entertaining look at what not to do when setting up an estate plan, or administering an estate. By examining the mistakes made by some of the most well-known celebrities-from Bob Marley to John F. Kennedy, Sr. and Jr.-this book will guide readers toward making a successful estate plan and help them avoid many common pitfalls. Chapters cover such topics as: mistakes involving tangible personal property, real estate, executors and trustees, minors, or persons with disabilities; as well as disgruntled family and friends left behind.

• Puts estate planning in perspective through entertaining examples of mistakes celebrities have made in developing their own plans
• Taps into the voyeuristic interest we have in the lives of the rich and famous
• Offers an insider's look at many fascinating wills of the rich and famous

Given the emotional, financial, and legal issues that arise from the death of a loved one-and the substantial assets that are transferred from one generation to the next at this time-understanding estate planning is essential. This book will put you in a better position to make more informed estate planning decisions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Estate Planning
I don't think this is a replacement for using an attorney to plan your estate matters, however, I truly think this had me prepared with any questions I might have when I set up the appointment.It's well worth the money to check this out BEFORE you spend all the money on the attorney fees.

It's thought provoking and suggests things to consider that you might not otherwise think about.I would recommend it if you are planning to set up any kind of estate trust matters.

All the things you thought you had covered!
You have your will written, you have taken care of your kids, your spouse, your family, you are all set, right?Wrong!Read Herb Nass's book and you will find all the things that have slipped through the cracks.Young, old, rich or not so rich, you need to educate yourself on how to protect your estate and protect your family.My biggest concern is that when I am gone that there is peace in my family and that my children remain close and good friends,Nass's book give you all the things you need to cover in your will to make sure your wishes are carried out.

mistake 102 not reading this book
This book has great tips about dos and don'ts. I realized after reading it that I better hustle to change my daughter's guardians. The ones named in my will have been divorced for 5 years and we are barely speaking.Nass makes plenty of other points that hit home.

Essential Resource
Herb Nass is a first-rate authority on matters of estate planning.Impressed with his credentials.This book is a must-read whether attending to these very important matters yourself or with a professional advisor.A helpful guide that steered me clear of common mistakes and ensured I am on the proper path to wealth preservation.Loved the anecdotes.Written in a way that I could reduce complex matters to more simple prescriptions for success.Without insulting my intelligence.My kids have already thanked me. ... Read more

Product Description

A complete guide to planning an estate under today's tax rules

When it comes to your estate-no matter how big or small it may be-you shouldn't leave anything to chance. Proper planning is necessary to protect both your assets and your heirs. Experts Stewart Welch III, Harold Apolinsky, and Craig Stephens know this better than anyone else, and in the Third Edition of J.K. Lasser's New Rules for Estate and Tax Planning, they offer valuable advice and solid strategies to help you plan your estate under today's tax rules. Packed with up-to-the-minute facts, this practical resource covers essential issues; including how new legislation will impact inheritances and trusts, the do's and don't of gifting, retirement planning, and much more.

• Reflects the most recent changes in tax laws as applicable to estate taxation
• Offers useful planning with regard to trusts, charitable contributions, life insurance, and wills
• Outlines the best ways to preserve your wealth through proper planning strategies

Filled with in-depth insights and expert advice, this book will show you how to efficiently arrange your estate today so that you can leave more to those you care about tomorrow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Attorney biased
If you are less afraid of legal documents than most people and like to do some things on your own, this book is not as useful as are other books, e.g. Dennis Clifford, "Estate Planning Basics". If you are somewhat afraid of legal documents, this bookwill probablymake you more afraid. Although they talk about people being able to create some of their own documents (with software programs, etc,) they really think that such people are in a grave danger zone and ought to go to an attorney. In other words, I think that they are attorney biased. I think if one were to ask them about going to the toilet,they would probably say that you better ask an attorney.

What you must know now about estate and tax planning
I would encourage every taxpayer in America to read this book.It examines what the new tax law means, not just what it says. Stewart Welch III and Harold Apolinsky have addressed the questions all of us are asking, and a few we may not have thought of yet.Who would have ever thought a book on tax law would be so enjoyable to read and easy to understand? I am grateful for these two experts' wonderful resource and guide.Read it!

A lifeboat in a sea of confusion and complexity
An excellent resource for those who want objective advice and guidance on very complicated subjects.The authors take very technical concepts and explain them in plain language.The worksheets, checklists and diagrams are very helpful.

A Great Find
What a great book!Everything you need to know about estate and tax planning in one easy to read book.This book is all you need! You can find what your looking for right away!

A valuable addition to any financial planning library
In guiding my clientele through the ever-changing maze of estate tax planning law, I have found JK Lasser's New Rules for Estate Planning and Tax to be an invaluable body of knowledge that I have referenced again and again. The easy-to-read layout allows quick focus on particular issues and topics that are presented in clear and concise laymen's terms. ... Read more

Product Description
Pass on your money and property, not your tax burden

The straightforward, reader-friendly guide to planning for your family’s future

Worried about what will happen to your assets after you’re gone? Don’t want to leave your heirs with a fat tax bill? Relax! Now there’s Estate Planning For Dummies, the simple guide that takes the pain out of planning for the future. It’ll help you minimize estate taxes, write a proper will, keep your plan up-to-date, and much more!

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Customer Reviews (9)

Not of value to me...
I purchased the Willmaker Plus CD. The accompanying manual looked a bit thin so I ordered Estate Planning for Dummies to read before getting down to the Willmaker manual and program. Frankly, it was a waste of time and money, as the Willmaker manual and the on-screen help was more concise and better written. I've been happy with several Dummies books, but this isn't one of them.

You would be a dummie to buy this book.
Open this book and you will see that it is formatted and reads like every other textbook you have read since college.The writing makes no attempt to reduce the complexities of the subject.It simply reiterates all the language you never understood in the first place.As the author of "Everything A Baby Boomer Should Know -- An Insider's Guide to Estate Planning," I suggest you compare my book which honestly and easily explains the tools of the probate system, to this book which is impossible to understand if you have no background on the subject.

Its okay but I wanted more-specific information
This book gives you general information about Estate Planning but It left me wanting more. I was surprise that it didnt mention anything about AB trust. I wish it would have given the upside and donwnside to each options of wills or trust.

I would have settled for a checklist what to ask your lawyer or accountant considering that he kept harping of always ask your lawyer. Although I see the lawyer point, if I was meeting with a lawyer I would have not wasted 20 dollars and change to read the book.
Many who read books like Dummies want to avoid paying thousands of dollars to a lawyer or as I mention , and if you want me to ask my lawyer at least give me very specific checklist of questions.

If you could, buy it at a discount or borrow it from the library. I probably sell mine on Ebay.

They weren't kidding when they said "for dummies"
I didn't find this book helpful at all.It just barely skims the surface, and usually concludes with "make sure you talk to your accountant/attorney/estate planner."If I intended to talk to all those folks, I wouldn't waste my time reading this book in the first place.Most of what this book covers could be learned by snooping around the web - and in many cases you can learn more that way.It defines the terminology, but even that is often inadequate. I suggest you check this book out from the local library, and then if you find it to be a useful resource go ahead and buy it.I wish I had done that - I don't feel this book has enough information to really qualify as a reference book.

Are we that dumb?
I thought the tone of this book was really patronizing (okay yeah I know it's for 'dummies' but does it need to keep reminding you of that fact constantly?).It's repetitive and ultimately tells you to consult an estate planner anyway--so forget using it to save money to plan your own estate.For a much more directly useful guide to estate planning (with forms you can fill out on a cd-rom), I highly recommend Quicken's Willmaker Plus.You get all the same information as in this book, plus more, and in a much less annoying style.And since it includes the forms for the key documents you need to prepare (e.g., simple will, durable power of attorney, etc.), you may be able to plan your own estate yourself (dummy or not). ... Read more

Product Description
The most comprehensive -- yet easy to read -- guide to estate planning on the market! Learn how to create an estate plan and protect your family

Plan Your Estate covers everything from the basics of wills and living trusts to sophisticated tax-saving strategies. The authors give you straightforward, plain-English explanations of every significant estate-planning option available, so you can make the best decisions for you and those you love.

The book covers:

Product Description
If I don’t have an estate plan, what will happen when I die? Can I plan my own estate, or should I work with an estate attorney? How can I make sure that my estate isn’t whittled away by state and federal taxes?

In Kiplinger’s Estate Planning, financial expert and attorney John Ventura offers straightforward guidance on all of the tools of estate planning, from wills, trusts, and custodial accounts to insurance, employee befits, and durable power of attorney for finance and health care.

In this easy-to-read guide, learn:

• What you can and can’t do with a will
• How a living trust works
• Your options for transferring assets to your spouse or partner
• How to give your assets away while you are alive
• How to use a durable power of attorney for health care—and what will happen if you become incapacitated without one
• Controlling your death with a living will
• How to leave a personal legacy
• How to complete the process on your own or work with an estate attorney

Customer Reviews (3)

The most comprehensive legal advice in a single, easy to read book!
I am a wills and probate attorney in Texas.Certainly, I am the first to admit that the law of estate planning can be difficult to navigate.John Ventura, with this Estate Planning book, makes the navigation simple.He guides you, step by step, through wills, trusts, and the like, without ever missing a beat.I even purchased a copy for my own mother!If you want an easy read, with excellent advice, you're in great hands with John Ventura's "Kiplinger's Estate Planning."

UNDERSTANDING IT ALL
I HAVE A MUCH BETTER INSIGHT AS TO HOW IT ALL WORKS WITH REGARDS TO WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES. IT'S A RELIEF TO KNOW THAT YOUR SPOUSE AND KIDS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ASSETS TO BE SUBJECT TO THE ESTATE TAX, FORME, IT'S A RELIEF TO HAVE A PLAN. EVEN WITH OUR MINIMAL ASSETS-CAR; HOUSE; A PET-IT'S GREAT TO HAVE SOME PEACE OF MIND, KNOWING WHAT HAPPENS. AND, IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN THE BASIC ASSETS, THIS BOOK HELPS YOU WITH THE MORE COMPLICATED THINGS, SUCH AS INVESTMENTS AND LIFE INSURANCE. WRITTEN BY ATTORNEY JOHN VENTURA IN UNDERSTANDABLE LANGUAGE. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

A complete and comprehensive guide to estate management
What happens to all of one's belongings if one is randomly and tragically killed in a bus accident? Kiplinger's Estate Planning: The Complete Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Maximizing Your Legacy is a complete and comprehensive guide to estate management, whether one carries an estate worth millions or worth less than thousand. It's a guide for anyone about how to make sure one's will is carried out when one makes a purchase of metaphorical agricultural land. Kiplinger's Estate Planning is a must for anyone worried about their friends and family and wants to leave them something when the time comes, and is also highly recommended for community library finance collections. ... Read more

Product Description
Estate planning rules explained in one quick read!

Estate Planning Basics provides concise, straightforward, and easy-to-read explanations of the major components of estate planning, so that you don't have to spend hours wading through endless options (most of which apply to the wealthy).

Learn about:

Product Description
SynopsisAfter an overview of the purpose and processes of estate planning, this text covers areas such as ownership and transfers of property, administration of the estate, federal gift and estate taxation, buy- sell agreements, and state death taxes. Other topics include deductions from the gross estate, marital and charitable deductions, generation skipping transfer tax, and ethics. Chapter review questions and cases are included, along with some 80 pages of sample documents. Fontaine teaches taxation at The American College. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

OK...I guess
The 4th edition is outdated, look for the 5th edition on shelves.
The book is the required text for the class I'm taking. We're about
half way through the book now.


Pluses:
1) Wealth of topics covered (no pun intended)
2) Very helpful short quizzes throughout the book and good review questions.
3)Explanations for Gift & Estate taxes are pretty well done. But there are still alot of details missing.

Minusus
1) Many of the chapters make references to topics that are not yet covered
2) Some of the reading is not clear.It reads like IRS documents.
3) Some of the summaries are not well written.

Used to study for CFP.
I used this book as a part of my class to study for the Certified Financial Planner exam. It must be good, I passed on the first try! Hopefully someday soon, it will help you too! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Lot of Information and Pages
This book covers a lot of information and a lot of pages.I could never finish it so I decided to give up for now.Maybe I have to hire an estate planning lawyer after all, but that could mean a lot of money!I might give it a try reading again later when I have the time! ... Read more

Product Description
In almost half of all stepfamilies, each parent brings one or more children to a new marriage and while other books give general information about wills, trusts, and taxes, many of them may not apply to couples in second marriages.

Estate Planning for Blended Families is the first book for parents in second marriages who want to provide both for their current spouse and their children from the current and prior marriages. Author Richard Barnes has years of experience guiding couples through the process of setting goals, discussing competing priorities, and choosing strategies and this book covers:

Product Description

#1 Florida Probate Book

Customer Reviews (7)

Probate and Settle an Estate in Florida
This was exactly what I needed to assist in a simple Administration Settlement.All the forms were there and explicit instructions step by step.

Good Information
Buy the book for reference but you will still need to hire a money sucking lawyer.

Great info, but...
This is very good info if you want to try to do the probate yourself.I found out 3 minutes into the read, however, that it was going to be mandatory for me to hire an attorney.Even though the estate is very simple (almost no debts/creditors to settle), because it's worth over $75,000, I am required by FL law to hire an attorney.You don't find that out until you've paid for the book that it's going to do you no good.

Poorly Titled but Still Useful
The book should really be called "How Your Lawyer will Probate and Settle an Estate in Florida", per the following quote in the introduction: "The Florida Probate Rule 5.030 states that every guardian or personal representative, unless the personal representative is also an attorney, must be represented by an attorney."I tried to see if there were any exceptions for avoiding hiring a lawyer, but it was all vague.

However, the book provides a checklist as well as summaries of the process for
1) Formal Administration with A Will
2) Formal Administration without a Will
3) Summary Administration with A Will
2) Summary Administration without a Will

I found the checklist that pertained to my situation along with a brief description of the process to be very useful.I was able to take the checklist and basically highlight the items and attach to corresponding documents as the process unfolded.

Everything didn't adhere to the list exactly and the forms weren't identical, but the checklist was close enough for me to be able to make some sense of it all.

The most user friendly guide for Florida probate that I have encountered
For Floridians, this is a terrific resource for probate of an estate.Simple, straightforward and concise, it gets you where you need to be quickly, and is an instructive primer to review before retaining a probate attorney. ... Read more

Product Description
The landscape concerning same-sex relationships is changing. It is vital for lawyers to stay on top of these changes. Attorneys who represent lesbian and gay clients must provide creative estate planning that protects both parties, their children and their future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Emphasizes Personal Aspects of the Representation; Weak on Legal Details
I am an estate planning lawyer, and from time to time, I counsel same sex couples.I purchased the book to determine what assistance it could provide.It contains a good discussion of the interpersonal aspects which lawyers should consider, but the book tends to supercificial when discussing estate tax planning techniques.

A Vital Guide to the Changing Legal Landscape
Attorney Burda has done the impossible, writing a "black-letter law" treatise in an easy-to-read and enjoyable style.

Practitioners will find it informative for its nuts-and-bolts practice tips, while members of the public will take away a 'how-to' roadmap (with forms!) when planning to protect themselves and their families.

I recommend this book without reservations -- not only for attorneys practicing in this field, but for smart individuals across the nation who attempt to balance the scales of justice while usually suffering inequitable treatment under the laws.

Good For Students
Ms. Burda's book provides guidance and training for the law student seeking to learn about a cutting edge nuance of estate-planning.With crystal clear language and outstanding organization, a law student finds him/herself wishing his/her law school professors followed Ms. Burda's instructional paradigm.This book is a must read for anyone seeking a career helping others plan for retirement.

Very insightful, very well-written
This book is an excellent resource for attorneys as well as non-legally educated persons. The book covers all issues that a person would need to take into consideration in creating an estate/living plan for a same-sex couple.

Absolutely Essential
This book is absolutely essential for any attorneys practicing in this field.Ms. Burda has put together not only the laws and state of affairs across the country but she has also included the much needed forms in order to accomplish the task.After all of our years in law school, only Ms. Burda has shown us exactly what these documents are supposed to look like! ... Read more

Product Description
Few people want to think about what would happen to their family if they become disabled or die; however, planning for these occurrences in advance will reduce potential stress on your family later in life. This new book will take the guesswork out of planning your estate and helps you finally understand the complex processes. The right plan can protect the value of your estate and spare your loved ones unnecessary hassles and legal conflicts. Your Georgia Wills, Trusts, & Estates will help you glide through this complicated process. This new book has been adapted to offer Ohio residents state-specific advice for estate planning. Co-authors Margo Pierce and Linda C. Ashar, attorneys at law, have crafted an estate planning primer, allowing Georgia residents to become more informed and more involved during the process. Your Georgia Wills, Trusts, & Estates will provide all the information you need to choose, set up, and execute a will, trust, or estate. You will learn the legal terminology, including beneficiary, probate, trustor, trustee, assets, guardianship, and executor. You will also learn about trust agreements, trust property, settlement costs, life insurance, durable power of attorney, marital deductions, gift splitting, survivorship deeds, gift tax issues, generation skipping transfer tax, tax deferred accounts, and advance directives. Georgia -specific information is offered throughout this book, including: Georgia probate code; Georgia rules, regulations, and laws specific to estate planning; elements of a valid Georgia will; planning your living will in Georgia; explanations of Georgia laws regarding durable health care power of attorneys, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and directives to withhold CPR. The book s easy-to-understand context clarifies this complicated and sensitive subject and gives readers the power to take control of their future. Whether you are writing your will, establishing a trust, planning your estate for the first time, or updating and revising your previous plans, You Georgia Wills, Trusts, & Estates will give you all the tools and knowledge you need to decide where and to whom your assets will go when you die. Other books offer a non-state-specific overview of estate planning, causing many readers to be misinformed about rules and regulations particular to their state; but, this new book provides information Georgia residents need to know. Do not get outdated or wrong information that does not pertain to you specifically. Use this new book to craft an estate plan that is not only legally sound but also fully carries out your last wishes and protects your loved ones. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Conflicting statements - something's wrong here
I bought this book for a Georgia library but am pulling the copies we already have and will not buy more.I'm not a lawyer, but in just the first 70 pages I found two diametrically opposed statements -- which is either lousy editing (at best) or really bad research.Either way, it doesn't help someone trying to figure out what's legal in Georgia.

The first occurs on the very first page, where under "Georgia facts" it states "Georgia does not allow for oral (nuncupative) wills."Yet on page 61 it states "Georgia also allows for oral (nuncupative) wills."On page 66 it returns to the first position, saying "Oral wills are no longer recognized in Georgia."So which statement is the reader supposed to believe?

Again on page 61, the text states "A witness is not rendered incompetent because he or she receives a bequest in the will, but the bequest to that witness will be void unless there are at least two competent witnesses to the will in addition to the witnessreceiving the bequest."A little complex but pretty clear, right?But only a few pages later, page 71 states "Your witnesses cannot be listed as beneficiaries in your will; these people need to be those who do not benefit from your will in any way."No wiggle room here, the author doesn't say "should not" but "cannot".Again, conflicting advice.

I'm a librarian, not a lawyer.But I can read well enough to know that this book has too many inconsistencies to be a reliable guide to a non-lawyer like myself or its potential buyers.Unfortunately there are no other Georgia-specific titles on this subject currently in print-- I've looked for them! I was really hoping this would be a useful addition to our library but it is NOT an acceptable guide.

A smart buy
My first impression of The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in Georgia was that it was very dense. But then as I started reading I realized that the book itself is actually very well written and helpful. The legal concepts are what is dense but the author uses simple language and very clear explanations that break down the issues into something more manageable for a layperson.

Right in the beginning the author gets right to the two most important aspects: One is what makes up an estate. I thought I knew but didn't take into account things like credit card debt or retirement money. The second thing is the importance of speaking to an attorney and an accountant. Initially, I thought it wouldn't be necessary to read something like this when I could just get an attorney to do the work for me and I could just rely on his/her expertise. But the more that I read, I realized that it's like taking your car to a mechanic: you can trust that they rebuilt your engine correctly but that's about all the power that you hold. Knowledge is power and it's important to be in the driver's seat with something as important as your estate. By reading this book, you can arm yourself with the information you need to make the best decisions for your estate planning.

This book will save you money.
It is never too early start to planning how you are going to distribute your assets after you are no longer around. This book will hold your hand as you begin the legal preparations for your family's future. Every state regulates how wills are done differently and this book makes sure that you know what this means for you.
The first thing I liked about it was how well organized it is. If you only have questions about how to prepare a living will, you can get everything you need to know from one chapter. On that note, this book goes into great detail what you can do while alive to maximize your return to your descendants. It weighs the details of giving someone their inheritance early against waiting until death for it.
Although its always suggested to get a professional to attend to your legal needs, this book is about as informative and exhaustive as it gets. The information is well organized, and you don't need to read through the whole thing if you just want make a living will or understand how to pass on your house. It has many forms in the back of the book that help you make sense of your assets and will let you develop a coherent plan. If you are going to meet with a legal advisor, you will be well served to fill out all the information.
If you are planning your estate in Georgia, you would be well served to pick this book up. The information contained within is a great investment, and will save you costly time in legal council.

Essential Guide
If you think you don't need estate planning you will quickly realize how wrong you are when you read Linda Ashar's, The Complete Guide to Estate Planning in Georgia. While few of us want to think about the end of our lives, most of us want to be prepared to live comfortably as we age and the majority of us want to make sure our loves ones are protected after we are gone. So you thinkit will be long enough away that you have plenty of time to prepare? Well, maybe so. However, untimely deaths and accidents happen all the time and since there is no way of knowing in advance, you need to put your affairs in order as soon as possible. And since Georgia does not allow for oral (nuncupative) wills (listed in "Georgia Facts") you will need assistance. This book explains everything you need to know, and where to get the help you need.

Being an attorney Ms. Ashar provides readers with comprehensive legal guidance. She explains to you what an estate is, why you need to do all this work, professionals who are there to help you - attorney, accountant, insurance agent and financial planner - how to get started and your best method for success. Do you know what you are really worth? What should be in your will? What Georgia laws do you need to know? How can you avoid probate? What is a living trust? What taxes do you have to pay in Georgia? How do you lower your taxes and what happens if you divorce? These and many other pertinent questions are answered in this book. Also included at the back of the book are templates for a Living Will, Health Surrogate Designation and Power of Attorney.

In short, if you are a resident of the state of Georgia, you need to have this book. Once I read it, I understood how important it is to get my estate in order. You will too. For those like me, in search of the peace of mind obtained when you know everything you have worked for in your life is safe and protected, this practical and valuable book is an essential guide that residents of Georgia should not be without.



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Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

great
The book should be in the hands of all those who want to preserve their estate from government taxes and prevent probate.

Highly recommended
I recently prepared my first comprehensive estate plan, which is of medium size and will include several trusts. My wife and I have a couple of complicating factors, such as the possibility of needing to consider estate taxes in our planning, and children from previous marriages. Before consulting an attorney I read this book as well as a couple of others, including the Nolo book. This one is the best for getting a comprehensive understanding of the legal fundamentals and nuances of estate planning. It is written for an ordinary joe, not a lawyer, but the author takes the time to first explain the basics (such as the various legal forms of ownership) of property law, which provides even the most uninitiated reader with a solid foundation for comprehending the far more advanced topics discussed later in the book. It is easy to follow and is also chock full of good practical advice (such as things to consider to keep your heirs from tearing each other apart or challenging your estate in court). I highly recommend it for anyone planning any size estate.

After having read this book my wife and I felt prepared to face the task of hiring an attorney and working through our estate plan with him. Armed with the knowledge gained from this book, we were able to steer the attorney toward some ideas which were the authors, rather than our attorney's. He considered them, decided they were good ideas for our situation, and we ended up incorporating them into our plan.

I would strongly recommend reading the book before hiring an attorney. The Nolo book is good too, but if you had to pick just one, pick this one.

The Good Estate
This is a well written, very readable treatment of the subject of estate planning. If one submits to the discipline of reading it thoroughly one will secure the necessary knowledge to ask and answer the pertinent questions of an estate planning lawyer.

Cuting planning costs
This book is a must for senions who need to understand the ramifacations of nursing home costs and related retirement issues.Attorney costs as high as $200.00 per hour and or flat fees of thousands of dollars, cause seniors to procasinate from getting their financial house in order.This book does a good job of explaining the need for proper planning and the ease in which it can be done withour having an attorney do ever phase, and prepare every document. Yet it does point out the need for an attorney in properly preparing the more difficult documents.I highly recoment this book for seniors and others also.

Don't Visit Your Attorney without Being Informed
As an estate planner and attorney, I know that presenting this kind of information in an easy-to-grasp way isn't, well . . .easy. But Michael Palermo has done it. In Crash Course in Estate Planning, he explains everything from wills to planning for children to protecting your investment interests. The fact that the AARP endorses The Essential Guide is a great indication of the value of the information.The "Hints" and "Warnings" that Michael gives throughout the book could only have come from a real life practicing estate attorney who has faced these problems with clients many times.In addition to having an estate planning practice, Michael is also a Certified Financial Planner and the combination of wisdom garnered from his financial background and legal background serves his readers well. Michael knows which issues take a little more effort to understand, and he provides more detail accordingly. This is a great book for anyone who is preparing to tackle the estate planning process. Palermo provides clear and direct answers to very difficult questions. I highly recommend his book. Be advised though, if you read the book you may, at least in some areas, find you know more than your attorney!

James Lange, CPA/Attorney and author of Retire Secure! Pay Taxes Later: The Key to Making Your Money Last as Long as You Do ... Read more

Product Description
Legal Planning for Special Needs is a must have resource for parents of children with disabilities and the professionals and advocates who assist them. In an easy-to-read, conversational style, the author covers the essential elements of SSI, guardianship, and estate planning when there is a child with a disability in the family. This book, which updates an earlier edition, covers the 2009 changes in the Massachusetts guardianship laws. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent resource even if you are not from Massachusetts
Preparing for death is not fun, but for parents of children with special needs it is especially necessary to give some real thought to planning a child's long-term future.This book is a straightforward reference that makes the process a little less daunting and is great preparation for communicating knowledgeably with a lawyer and a financial planner.It sets forth the right questions without insinuating what the best choices might be, including those about how estate planning choices siblings and the extended family.All of the options are presented so that parents, in consultation with their attorney, can make the best possible plans with as little angst as possible. ... Read more

Product Description
What happens to your estate after you are gone is very much within your control. Estate planning is not only for the wealthy; it is for everyone. It is simply the process of deciding where your assets are to be distributed after your death. For those people who wish to preserve their assets for designated purposes such as family or special charities it becomes necessary to make special advance preparations. To ensure your assets are protected and final wishes are carried out, there are some common actions that should be taken now. Proper estate planning allows you to plan for yourself and your loved ones without giving up control of your affairs. Your estate plan should also allow for the possibility of your own disability. It should detail what you own and whom you want to leave it to at a time of your choosing and the way you want. Your estate plan should include fully disclosed, controlled costs for you and your loved ones. The last thing you want to worry about is having your estate drained of value through taxes and legal costs. The right plan can protect the value of your estate and spare your loved ones unnecessary hassles and legal conflicts. The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in Ohio will help you glide through this complicated process. This new book has been adapted to offer Ohio residents state-specific advice for estate planning. Co-authors Margo Pierce and Linda C. Ashar, attorneys at law, have crafted an estate planning primer, allowing Ohio residents to become more informed and more involved during the process. Many books on estate planning indicate you do not need the services of an attorney, but this book highly recommends using an attorney versed in this area: You should not go through the process alone. This book is intended explain the complicated issues, terminology, and planning strategies of estate planning so when you do meet with a qualified attorney, you will be well prepared. You will understand the legal terms and be ready to discuss issues and strategies with familiarity, saving you time and legal fees and ensuring peace of mind. Ohio-specific information is offered throughout this book, including: Ohio s probate code; Ohio rules, regulations, and laws specific to estate planning; elements of a valid Ohio will; planning your living will in Ohio; explanations of Ohio laws regarding durable health care power of attorneys, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and directives to withhold CPR. The book s easy-to-understand context clarifies this complicated and sensitive subject and gives readers the power to take control of their future. This book also offers an overview of abatement rules, settlement costs, guardianship and minor children, executors and trustees, life insurance, potential long-term care needs, marital deductions, types of trusts, gift splitting, survivorship deeds, 529 plans, reducing or eliminating estate taxes, avoiding tax on life insurance, using insurance to pay estate taxes, gift tax issues, generation skipping transfer tax, and tax-deferred accounts. Estate planning should be a positive experience. It involves reviewing your situation and planning for your future. Although few people want to think about the possibility of disability or disease, advance planning is also a way to show your love and to reduce potential distress later. Other books offer a non-state-specific overview of estate planning, causing many readers to be misinformed about rules and regulations particular to their state; but, this new book provides information Ohio residents need to know. Do not get outdated or wrong information that does not pertain to you specifically. Use this new book to craft an estate plan that is not only legally sound but also fully carries out your last wishes and protects your loved ones. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in Michigan
The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in Michigan
By Linda C. Ashar, J.D. and Sandy Baker
2010 Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars

In this book, Ashar and Baker give Michigan residents a complete systematic plan all in one place to protect their assets, limit their taxes, and know that their estate planning will work to protect their loved ones.This easy to understand guide, written in plain English, clears up the confusion about estate planning.It answers all five of the "W" questions: who, what, where, when and why.

Who?Everyone who wants their wishes honored after their death.
What?Learn exactly what an estate and estate plan actually are.
Where?This estate plan is specific to Michigan residents and the laws in that state.
When?It's never too soon.An estate plan is a living document that changes as life changes, so the time to plan is now.
Why?An estate plan is the legal protection needed.

The authors put estate planning all together for you, concluding with an Appendix with forms and worksheets to get started, and a Glossary of Terms for any further clarification.
... Read more

Product Description
What happens to your estate after you are gone is very much within your control. Estate planning is not only for the wealthy; it is for everyone. It is simply the process of deciding where your assets are to be distributed after your death. For those people who wish to preserve their assets for designated purposes such as family or special charities it becomes necessary to make special advance preparations. To ensure your assets are protected and final wishes are carried out, there are some common actions that should be taken now. Proper estate planning allows you to plan for yourself and your loved ones without giving up control of your affairs. Your estate plan should also allow for the possibility of your own disability. It should detail what you own and whom you want to leave it to at a time of your choosing and the way you want. Your estate plan should include fully disclosed, controlled costs for you and your loved ones. The last thing you want to worry about is having your estate drained of value through taxes and legal costs. The right plan can protect the value of your estate and spare your loved ones unnecessary hassles and legal conflicts. The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in New Jersey will help you glide through this complicated process. This new book has been adapted to offer Ohio residents state-specific advice for estate planning. Co-authors Margo Pierce and Linda C. Ashar, attorneys at law, have crafted an estate planning primer, allowing New Jersey residents to become more informed and more involved during the process. Many books on estate planning indicate you do not need the services of an attorney, but this book highly recommends using an attorney versed in this area: You should not go through the process alone. This book is intended explain the complicated issues, terminology, and planning strategies of estate planning so when you do meet with a qualified attorney, you will be well prepared. You will understand the legal terms and be ready to discuss issues and strategies with familiarity, saving you time and legal fees and ensuring peace of mind. New Jersey -specific information is offered throughout this book, including: New Jersey s probate code; New Jersey rules, regulations, and laws specific to estate planning; elements of a valid New Jersey will; planning your living will in New Jersey; explanations of New Jersey laws regarding durable health care power of attorneys, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and directives to withhold CPR. The book s easy-to-understand context clarifies this complicated and sensitive subject and gives readers the power to take control of their future. This book also offers an overview of abatement rules, settlement costs, guardianship and minor children, executors and trustees, life insurance, potential long-term care needs, marital deductions, types of trusts, gift splitting, survivorship deeds, 529 plans, reducing or eliminating estate taxes, avoiding tax on life insurance, using insurance to pay estate taxes, gift tax issues, generation skipping transfer tax, and tax-deferred accounts. Estate planning should be a positive experience. It involves reviewing your situation and planning for your future. Although few people want to think about the possibility of disability or disease, advance planning is also a way to show your love and to reduce potential distress later. Other books offer a non-state-specific overview of estate planning, causing many readers to be misinformed about rules and regulations particular to their state; but, this new book provides information New Jersey residents need to know. Do not get outdated or wrong information that does not pertain to you specifically. Use this new book to craft an estate plan that is not only legally sound but also fully carries out your last wishes and protects your loved ones. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in New Jersey
The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in New Jersey
by Linda C. Ashar, J.D. and Sandy Baker


The authors deserve a "noble" prize for tackling a subject most of us would rather not think about.But unless you get down to business well before your time expires, it will be up to The State and those you loved most to decide - or fight - who gets what.And who pays for Life's two other certainties, debts and taxes.A formula for confusion, conflict, and chaos complicating grief.Is that how you want to be remembered?

Don't be thrown by the word estate.It's just a dignified way to say, "This is everything you ever worked for all your life.It's your economy, stupid."Yet 60% of us leave this world with no will or estate plan.These pages repeatedly pound into our denying minds, don't procrastinate.Do it now, regardless of age, health or wealth.Ironically, it is a living document which changes during your life, and can change even after it is over.If you think you have nothing, you're probably dead wrong.Remember the baseball cards Mom almost threw away?Letters, sketches, notes, and works in progress make many famous folks posthumously rich.Van Gogh let his relatives, agents, and government fight over his treasures - a sad way to say goodbye world.Even "living wills" are only part of an estate plan.Like it or not, the level-headed advice here is to learn what can and cannot be in the will and the plan or join the very silent majority whose legacy is left to the bureaucrats or the beloved.Ashar and Baker are well-schooled in New Jersey probate law.Perhaps too well for a layperson.They also presume you can afford four professionals essential to wise planning:a lawyer, financial planner, accountant, andinsurance agent.Right.Along with your Jaguar, ski chalet, beachfront mansion, etc.But you can't rule out being able to afford them between now and when you need them most.Maybe you will die before a relative who is more thoughtful - and richer than you.Or do what you always do when times are tight - network on and off-line, ask lawyerly or number-crunching friends, research, get free consultations.At least try and think like one of these pros.I was startled by the many different kinds of wills, trusts, and taxes.Ever hear of a "holographic will"?Sounds like a surreal 3-D Andy Warhol image.However, it's actually an old-fashioned, handwritten, changeable but very challengeable will New Jersey allows.But unlike some states you do not need a "wholly disinterested" witness to other wills.You need not live or die in an old or New Jersey to get the gist here.It fits into a 15-book regional series, noting important distinctions.

Though somewhat tedious, redundant, and in need of translation from legalese (what are holographic codices?) the topic is too essential to ignore.Surely this is among the least covered stories by all media.Odds are your local newscast will lead with a murder that affects a few people.Odds are 100% this affects you.

Should be required reading for estate planning
"Planning Your Estate in New Jersey" contains a useful overview of
estate planning, as well as detailed worksheets to help you organize
your information. The guide covers the basics of simple wills, and
delves into detail on specific kinds of wills allowed under New Jersey
law. The book also covers avoiding or reducing estate taxes through
living trusts and charitable remainder trusts. New Jersey is one of
the few states with both inheritance taxes and estate taxes, so this
information is particularly useful for estate planning.

The author covers general advice as well, such as updating your will
every year or when your life circumstances change through marriage,
divorce or having children. While the topic can be a bit dry, the
author avoids jargon and legalese for the most part. Some New Jersey
residents with unusual circumstances, such as marriage to non-U.S.
citizens, may have to do further research, but the book offers a solid
foundation for the majority of cases.

Don't skip the appendix! The worksheets in the appendix of the book
provide an especially good starting point for estate planning, and can
help zero in on specific goals for your estate. "Planning Your Estate
in New Jersey" should be required reading for anyone starting the
process of estate planning. ... Read more