Product Description
Estate planning and writing a will are among the last things people want to think about, and yet they are so important to do. Estate Planning through Family Meetings presents an easier way to handle estate planning, through a processs of meetings and notetaking. As author Lynne Butler explains, holding a family meeting to plan an estate is usually the easiest method because it allows family members to talk openly about the issues, ask questions, and work together. Using the steps outlined in this book, people can plan ahead and document the plan to make it legal. The author discusses what issues need to be covered to do this properly, what the legal consequences are of insufficient planning, and how to deal with special circumstances such as family businesses, vacation properties, and trusts.The book includes a CD-ROM for a Windows-based computer that is loaded with checklists and other tools to help the process along and ensure that nothing is left out. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Estate Planning
This book offers suggestions for discussing their inheritance with your children or other heirs. Doing this, with honest discussions with your children while you are still living, can prevent disputes among the children after your death. It also allows you to make your intentions clear to all involved. It further allows the children to prepare their own wills with appropriate consideration of any potential inheritance. It just makes good sense, and the book is a welcome discussion of how to do this. ... 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 York 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 York 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 York -specific information is offered throughout this book, including: New York s probate code; New York rules, regulations, and laws specific to estate planning; elements of a valid New York will; planning your living will in New York; explanations of New York 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 York 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 (5)

Planning for anything in New York
What will happen to your property without you? This is one of the most difficult decisions that anyone will have to make. Fortunately, there Atlantic Publishing Company has found experts for this. The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in New York: A Step-by-step Guide to Protect Your Assets, Limit Your Taxes, and Enure Your Wishes Are Fulfilled for New York Residents pores through the intricacies of planning an estate, whether for death- or divorce-related matters. The Complete Guide features stunning grayscale photographs of New York City and contains the kind of advice that adaptable for estate planning anywhere in the country. Moreover, the appendices feature concise worksheets that make estate planning straightforward.

What's key to planning the ideal estate, Ashar and Baker write, is in being a leader of your estate team: you are the senior attourney, accountant, insurer, and fi nancial advisor. As for doing your homework, The Complete Guide cuts through the legal and administrative spiderwebs of estate planning and outlines the steps that will prepare you for anything. Short in technical jargon and extensive in pragmatic suggestions, Ashar and Baker's advice comes from their extensive practical knowledge as attourneys in the field and careful writing in this new book.

Very primitive book that does not provide any insight
By the name of the book title, I fully expected a reference book that can guide you through the nuts and bolts of estate planning. However, the book provides only very basic knowledge. Probably only those who totally have no clue what estate planning is would find it marginally useful. In addition, the paper is of the quality of a paperback and that pretty much summarizes what you should expect from it.

A Very Handy Guide
I am by no means a wealthy person, particularly given the state of the economy. Like most Americans, I've had concerns regarding my financial security and the financial security of my loved ones once I pass away. The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate in New York has proven to be a shining light in an otherwise disconcerting future.

This guide manages to take a rather mundane, certainly dry, topic and make it light and readable. I was not inundated with legalese and complex jargon that I didn't understand. Technical words were explained in layman's terms, and I felt like an old family friend was leading me through the daunting process of getting my estate in order.

You do NOT have to live in New York to gain from this book. No stones are left unturned. It even comes with handy "Case Studies" which provide first person accounts and advice from experts in this field. I highly recommend this title!

A Detailed Reference
The authors of The Complete Guide to Planning your Estate in New York are obviously well-intentioned. They make it clear that they want to help people protect and provide for their families and that they want them to do it in a timely fashion so that no detail is left unconsidered. This is noble and necessary, but it does not save the book from being extremely dry and a touch overwhelming in its `no stone unturned' approach.
That being said, the authors make it clear that this book is mainly a primer and that many hired professionals such as attorneys, financial planners and insurance brokers must be consulted in the process of estate planning.
The authors give detailed consideration to all aspects of estate planning, including wills, trusts, life insurance, taxes, probate court, living gifts and final expenses. To their credit they don't shy away from helping people with debt - giving them options on how their beneficiaries can best manage it, and they give considerable space to discussing how primary breadwinners can choose options that allow their families to access needed funds while their assets may be held up with probate or other delays. I also commend their appendices which function as a series of worksheets to lay out as meticulous or as simple an estate plan as needed. All in all, with the help of the appropriate professionals, this book could be quite the helpful tool in estate preparation

A Comprehensive Guide to a Tough Topic
This is a topic no one wants to discuss, but this book helps you understand and manage it as all eventually agree it is an important topic.I watched my parents have to deal with their parents aging and dying.I've watched my friends parents do the same and often run into financial difficulties doing so.Now that I have reached an age where I no longer believe I'm immortal and my parents are starting to get older, the importance of Estate planning is really sinking in.

Though the topic is a burden, this book is far from as it takes much of the pressure off your shoulders by simply educating you in areas which seemed so difficult to think about before much less understand. This book is very easy to read and isn't overly filled with legal jargon even though it is written by a lawyer.The author's obvious empathy to her clients over the years shines through her words. The author's experience in practiced estate law and planning lends to easy to understand practical steps one must think about and do in order to protect your estate should you no longer be able to for whatever reason.
... Read more

Product Description
Multistate and Multinational Estate Planning analyzes the legal aspects of individual wealth transfers across state and national boundaries. In addition, this two-volume work seeks to develop workable strategies for the attorney involved with a multijurisdictional client. Planning is a central concern of Multistate and Multinational Estate Planning. The set is divided into six parts. The first is an overview of the topic. Part II is concerned with professional issues, particularly malpractice problems across state and national lines. Part III investigates the ties that influence which law is chosen to resolve legal questions that arise in the multijurisdictional setting. Part IV addresses specific restrictions on testamentary freedom. Part V deals with the intricacies of choice of law involving wills, trusts and estates. Part VI addresses tax matters at the multistate and multinational levels. This edition of Multistate and Multinational Estate Planning covers the legislative, regulatory and judicial developments that are of most importance to estate planners and their clients. ... Read more

Product Description
This quick read makes understanding the rules of estate planning easy!

Estate Planning Basicsprovides 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
Written in a straightforward conversational style, The Book of Estate Planning Questions and Answers is a reference guide to estate planning in South Carolina that provides a practical, down-to-earth overview of complex questions. Attorneys will benefit by providing the book as a reference for clients, while laypeople can use it as a preparation guide when seeking assistance from an estate planning lawyer.

The book includes concrete examples and illustrative diagrams to help understand specific topics of concern including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care power of attorney, living wills, avoiding probate, and making gifts to reduce the value of one’s estate.

The Book of Estate Planning Book Questions and Answers is just what its name implies—a straightforward resource based on the most commonly asked estate planning questions. Unintimidating, insightful, and, most of all, practical, this book offers the perfect starting point for planning one’s estate regardless of its size. ... 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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. Illinois -specific information is offered throughout this book, including: Illinois s probate code; Illinois rules, regulations, and laws specific to estate planning; elements of a valid Illinois will; planning your living will in Illinois; explanations of Illinois 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 Illinois 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)

Valuable Information
One of the first points that this book makes is that it is a huge mistake to wait to plan your estate.Another piece of advice that is offered here is that you do not, under any circumstances, want to plan your estate or write a will without the help of a series of professionals at your side.
Many people view estate planning as something done by the old, infirm or wealthy.The authors of this book try very hard to dispel this type of close-minded thinking.The logic of the authors is that the younger you are when you start to think about estate planning the better off you will be.If you set the wheels in motion early, you will save time, money and stress later in life.For example, the younger you are when you start planning, the cheaper life insurance, an important piece of estate planning, will be.It's these small pieces of wisdom that the authors work hard to share with the reader.
The Complete Guide To Planning Your Estate In Illinois is presented in a step-by-step manner.The authors take great pains to describe each move one should make in this process, starting with assembling the right team for the job and the role each member of that team will play.Other pieces of the puzzle that is estate planning which are covered: determining your net worth, wills, laws, probate, trusts, insurance, taxes, investing and financial planning, will substitutions and common "what if" situations.The appendices include some easy to use forms as well as a quiz to test your understanding of the topics covered.
The single most important thing to take away from this book is that estate planning is something that needs to be done early and with very little fear.After reading this book and using the tips the authors provide, the reader should be able to leave their planning meetings confident in the knowledge that they will be providing for their families future.A very well written, easy to understand book on a topic that many people tend to fear and dread. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

A valuable estate planning resource
As someone who works at a disease research foundation and regularly interacts with people facing Parkinson's disease, I was impressed with this very readable introduction to estate planning for the chronically ill.Regarding issues ranging from living wills to charitable planning, this book will prove indispensable to those living with a chronic illness and estate planning professionals alike.

Terribly important information for chronic illness
This book is incredibly important.As a lawyer for people with chronic illnesses, I know how often I get questions about estate planning that directly relate to their illnesses.Martin Shenkman has put together a really thorough and important primer for lay people that's easy to understand and to follow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Never Received It
I would really like to be able to review this book, but I never received it from the seller om Amazon.com. I have had to demand a refund from the Guarantee from Amazon. This is the second time that this has happened to me on Amazon. ... Read more

Product Description
Any good financial plan must address how to preserve what you earn. Though tax law and inheritance laws constantly change, this presentation will give you a clear “big picture” on the basic pitfalls and opportunities in this potentially complicated (yet vital) area of financial planning.

The Secrets of the Great Investors series is a collection of presentations that explain, in understandable language, the strategies, tactics, and principles that have produced great wealth, and how you can improve your financial future. History's greatest investors used powerful investing philosophies to produce superior results, and you can learn from their successes and mistakes. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Must reading for all agents
Some brokers, when counseling agents ask, "How must did you earn last year?How many listings did you get last year?""OK, now add 10-20% and that is your new goal for the next year."There is an old saying, "Plan the work, and Work the Plan."But, if you do not know from where you come, how will you know where you are going.True, this is tough for first or even second year agents who have little or no activity to track. But the plan will guide even these agents as to what to track and how to get more "bang for your bucks" in the future.This book is a great buy for the price.Carla has an updated plan (online) which cost $99.I have used both...and they work. The plan will work!

I Wish I had found this sooner
I decided to pick up a copy of this book despite the other review that this was for experienced agents.All I can say is, I am happy that I did.This book goes above and beyond discussing the importance of business planning for real estate agents.I have read quite a few real estate how-to guides and none of them come close to this book in terms of detail.Carla Cross leaves nothing out as she breaks down the fundamentals of real estate business planning in an easy to read, interactive book.She helps you to take the past experiences into perspective and shows you how to translate these experiences into a plan for the future.The book shows you how to define your business focus through the implementation of specific strategies that are geared toward profitability.The end result is a business plan that actually works.Since completing my plan, I have already surpassed my expense goals and am now operating from a position of profitability.I do not believe that I would have gotten to this point this quickly had it not been for the invaluable advice that I found in this book.

If you are starting out as a new agent or are an agent looking for ways to build or revitalize your business, then this is a must read.I wish I had found this book sooner in my career, because that would have definitely saved me considerable time and money that I wasted on inappropriate activities that generated no real results.

Good condition
Arrived in good condition as far as I can tell. Haven't read thru it page for page to know if every page is there. But did fan thru it there were no marks, dog ears, or tears.I was happy w/ the condition and several days later ordered another book thru Amazon.

GREAT BOOK FOR REAL ESTATE PLANNING
Even though another reviewer said this is not good for a new agent, I disagree.Firstly, it is my Broker's favorite and he has built a successful business using it.Secondly, IT SHOWS YOU HOW TO FIGURE PROFIT AN LOSS ON ANY GIVEN REAL ESTATE "MARKET" OR "FARM", something no other book explains this way. Once you know how much revenue a given area could produce, then you can pick the best areas to concentrate in.Since we all have to focus on a few areas or farms, this book gives a great way to choose the best farms to work on.

Because of this formula, I am able, as a new agent, to not waste my time on unprofitable markets.Although it is not just for beginners, this book is a good one to start with and it will grow with you as your career grows.

Tobeykins

For experienced agents only
Being a new real estate agent I brought this book with the hope that it would help me build my new business.I was wrong.This book mainly talks about looking at your past few years of realestate sales and changing your program using your past data into a better program.Utterly useless for the beginning agent.Carla Cross has a very good title writer for her books, since i brought her another one of her books in vain. ... Read more

Product Description
Estate planning has more procrastination, indecision, and inertia associated with it than any other area of planning. Affluent baby boomers, in particular, as the beneficiaries of the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history, have a daunting set of financial concerns with which to contend. Here at last is a step-by-step approach to estate planning that equips planners and financial advisors to help clients tackle this important process once and for all.

• Help clients discover and solidify their deepest values, convictions, and objectives relative to their money
• Help clients express those values and objectives in a clearly written Family Financial Philosophy mission statement
• Serve as the team leader in advising clients and clients other advisors on how to use the mission statement to direct the planning process

Clarifying your clients priorities and personal goals will enable you, as a trusted advisor, to simplify the planning process for clients, ensure their lifetime financial independence, and help them control their ultimate family and social capital legacies. Confronting issues of family dynamics, taxes, and financial situations—not to mention accepting ones own mortality—is difficult for many people. In addition, since estate planning often requires a shift in ownership of assets, clients feel an unsettling loss of privacy and control over their financial resources. Help your clients to overcome these obstacles and achieve their highest financial and philanthropic aspirations. Theyll thank you for generations to come.

Praise for Values-Based Estate Planning

"Scott Fithians book provides planning professionals with new insights into the estate planning process. Most importantly, he stresses the individual and family benefits of philanthropy—through the concept of social capital—which should be a key element to the planners inventory of client questions."—Charles W. Collier, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Harvard University

"This exceptional book empowers planners with a well- organized roadmap to lead wealthy clients to implementation of an estate plan expressing the clients own values. Scott Fithians Legacy Planning System focuses the advisor on the critical importance to the estate planning process of helping clients identify and articulate their values and objectives. This useful volume makes those ideas available to a much broader audience, while broadening the subject with illustrations of effective employment of the methodology he has developed."—David Wheeler Newman, JD, LLM, Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp LLP

"Fithians view of the complete person helps the advanced advisor avoid the typical limitations (hazards) of planning for wealthy families. The easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow methods help determine in-depth values of the clients total financial goals. His methods result in cementing valuable relationships with the most prized clients. Critical reading for CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents, or other advisors." & mdash;Jessica M. Bibliowicz, President and CEO, National Financial Partners

"Scotts wealth optimization system is truly revolutionary. For the first time, affluent clients and their advisors can rely on a fully integrated system that spans all phases of wealth accumulation, management, and transfer over time. An outstanding reference!"—Robert Keys, The Private Client Group

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

"How to Hold the Hands of the Value-Challenged"
The PURPOSE of the book is what earns this low rating from me. My reading finds the book clearly organized, narratively pedantic and pleasant enough. What my reading DID NOT find was thorough direction on structuring an estate to perpetuate a trustor's values.

It appears to me that the purpose of the book is to instruct planning professionals in counseling techniques useful for clients who DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY HOLD HIGHEST. Perhaps many of the boomers slated for transition in the next 50 years don't know, thus creating demand for the counseling on counseling found in this book. Best of luck, y'all...see what ya can focus and not squander in dissolute vague best wishes....

Honoring Your Values via Gifts and Bequests
Many estate planners fail to adequately understand a client's personal values and priorities and merely plug into a standardized will and trust setup.This book provides a systematic method for analyzing andimplementing needs for personal financial security, gifts to family, andcharitable giving.The audience for the book is clearly professionalfinancial planners, but wealthy individuals will find the author's approachhelpful. ... Read more

Product Description
Estate and Retirement Planning Answer Book (2009 Edition) provides expanded coverage of financial and estate planning strategies for implementing individualized solutions for the special problems associated with retaining accumulated wealth for retirement and estate planning purposes. With its comprehensive two-part approach to the complex issues that link retirement planning and estate planning, Estate and Retirement Planning Answer Book (2009 Edition), includes coverage of such topics as the final minimum distribution rules for individual retirement accounts and qualified plan distributions, the use of insurance as a qualified plan asset, and changes in the law to reflect the latest legislation. Replete with scores of examples that illustrate and analyze estate planning strategies and their effects, Estate and Retirement Planning Answer Book, 2009 Edition, brings insight and expertise to the realm of estate and retirement planning by focusing on the tax-free transfer of wealth and by providing an insdier's view of the various retirement benefits available to the corporate executive under both qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Highlights of 2009 Edition include:. Provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that are effective for 2008;. Updated gift tax exclusion amounts for 2008-2009;. Updated estate tax exemption amounts for 2008-2009;. Updated 2008 amounts for the generation-skipping transfer tax exemption;. Updated income tax rates for estates and trusts;. Updated distribution and limitation amounts for qualified plans in 2008-2009; . Brief discussion of ERISA preemption over state family law;. Expanded discussion of fiduciary bond requirements for ERISA plans;. Brief discussion of the limits of IRC Section 404(c) protection;. Updated discussion of sanctions for ERISA section 511 violations;. Updated contribution amounts for defined contribution plans;. Extended discussion of provisions that apply to overfunded benefit plans;. Discussion of applicable restrictions to the funding of nonqualified deferred compensation plans;. Extensive discussion of IRC section 409A;. Discussion of conditions that allow for the acceleration of benefit payments;. Brief discussion on IRA exclusion from bankruptcy estates;. Expanded discussion of permitted rollovers to Roth IRAs; and. Brief description of inherited IRA and applicable rules. ... Read more

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Product Description
The book is written in language that anyone can understand dealingwith serious topics that often are omitted in a "how to" book. Itaddresses issues of estranged children, the use of wills and trusts,the benefits and pit-falls of joint-tenancy ownership, suggesteddocuments for comprehensive estate planning including the advanced caredirective (power of attorney for health care), and, of course, WhoGets My pets? ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Out of date info on Medicaid.
While the estate planning information in this book is useful and well written the Medicaid information is completely out-of-date. The law surrounding Medicaid was dramatically changed on February 8, 2006 making obsolete any book published before that date on the subject of Medicaid and long-term care. For an up-to-date guide on using Medicaid to pay the cost of long-term nursing home care or assisted living care see The Medicaid Handbook 2007.

The planning guide for the rest of us.
This is a useful book. Informative and quite accessible. I turned 50 this year, so my retirement horizon is beginning to feel a whole lot closer. If I want to make good plans that will make a difference in my family's financial security, now is when I need to start asking the right questions and finding the sensible answers. Jon Iverson's book is a worthy and welcome resource. It's giving me a good foundation from which to work with my family's financial advisor; I'm asking smarter questions while the answers are in much better context for me than before. Plus, my mother died recently and although her estate is relatively straightforward, there were still choices to be made and financial triggers in place that would be unforgiving of a mistake or uninformed judgment. I turned to this book to clarify several points and understand their implications, and felt much more confident in working with the executor to make the necessary decisions. Although there are a lot of personal financial planning guides out there, Iverson -- with his insightful, practical, plain-language style -- has written the book for the rest of us who've, up to now, been apprehensive and perhaps even intimidated about the topic. I'm very glad he did. ... Read more

Product Description
This pamphlet is an indispensable reference for practitioners engaged in estate planning and probate matters, providing a comprehensive presentation of Maryland estate planning and probate laws. It contains the full text of the Maryland Estates and Trusts Code, with selected related provisions from the Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code, Family Law Code, Financial Institutions Code, Health-General Code, Insurance Code, Real Property Code, and Tax-General Code. It includes commentary and extensive cross-references to related provisions and rules, which provide an authoritative guide to application of the Code sections. A detailed table of contents, table of cases, and index facilitate research. ... Read more

Product Description
According to a 2007 survey, nearly 60 percent of adults have not implemented a plan to provide for their loved ones and settle their final affairs. WealthCounsel Estate Planning Strategies: Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniques hopes to reverse this trend and get everyone, no matter the size of his or her estate, to make estate planning a priority. With contributions from nearly 100 WealthCounsel estate planning attorneys, the book is chock full of useful information.

This book is designed to educate you about the importance of estate planning. More specifically, the purpose of this book is to help you avoid the common pitfalls that often occur without adequate planning so that you may fulfill your vision and family legacy in the disposition of your assets. In short, the proven strategies in this book will empower readers with knowledge about estate planning techniques that enable clients to leave what they want, to whom they want, and in the manner they want.

The ideas in this first-of-its-kind-book were drawn from the mind meld and collective wisdom of estate planning attorneys throughout the country who saw the need to compile a summary of the most effective estate planning strategies being used today. In addition to their commitment to sharing individual expertise for the benefit of many, these attorneys share another common genetic factor they are all members of WealthCounsel.

For more than ten years, WealthCounsel attorneys located in all 50 states have been helping clients of all ages and at all stages of life fulfill their estate planning objectives. As a membership-based organization of nearly 1,800 practitioners and users of the WealthDocsTM drafting platform, WealthCounsel and its member attorneys promote a client-centered approach to estate planning founded on the principles of legal competence, professional collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

You, the reader, will discover that the 100 or so ideas and strategies showcased in this book derive not from simplistic legal theory, but from practical application in complex situations. The attorney-authors have carefully illustrated compelling scenarios drawn from estate planning solutions developed for hundreds of clients throughout the country. The techniques discussed span the full continuum of the estate planning process, from the goals of estate planning and the documents generated in the process to planning for incapacity, tax avoidance, charitable giving, retirement, and business succession. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Don't Delay-StartPlanning Today!
This is a must have reference book that will be a great benefit to its readers; It makes complex estate planning strategies easy to read and comprehend for everyone. The useable suggestions, and invaluable resource information is intended to afford general guidance to the public. This book will help you gain an easy understanding of many complex estate planning strategies and useful incites into trusts, taxation, insurance, and many other estate related topics.
Estate Planning Strategies: Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniquese book contains a collection of general legal essays written and edited by attorneys from across the United States. When experts package their knowledge to make it understandable and interesting to those outside of their profession they empower individuals and families with confidence and wisdom needed to sort through the estate planning maze of confusion and create an estate plan to protect and preserve the wealth and values for future generations.

Great estate planning resource
This book is one of the most valuable estate planning resources I've seen.
--John P. Napolitano, CFP(R), CPA, PFS, MST, RLP(R), Chairman and CEO of U.S. Wealth Management.Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Personal Financial Planner (Complete Idiot's Guide to) and the upcoming Complete Idiot's Personal Financial Workbook.
[...]

Protect the Ones YOU Love
"The Wealth Counsel's new book, Estate Tax Strategies, clearly shows the reader who has an interest in preserving and protecting his or her hard earned wealth the procedure to make sure those dollars and benefits go to the ones they love.Written and edited by experienced estate planning experts, it flows, is easy to follow and has good illustrations and flowcharts to boot."
John J. Checki Jr.CPA, CFP®, CRC®
Securities America, Inc.
www.johncheckijr.sarep.com

Comment from contributing author
As a practicing tax and estate planning attorney, and as one of the contributing authors (Chapter 4), I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested is learning why estate planning is so important to everyone as well as anyone who wants to know more about the tax issues associated with estate planning.Even though I've been practicing for over 15 years, I still learned plenty from the other contributing authors.This book is well written and contains loads of information for the lay person and those with more than a basic understanding of estate planning.My website at contains more information about this book and estate planning generally, as well as the schedule of my upcoming webinar series based on this book.Moore McLaughlin, Esq., CPA. ... 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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. Virginia -specific information is offered throughout this book, including: Virginia s probate code; Virginia rules, regulations, and laws specific to estate planning; elements of a valid Virginia will; planning your living will in Virginia; explanations of Virginia 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 Virginia 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