Navigate probate, tax issues, and state laws Create an estate plan and protect your family's interests
Need a will, but have no idea where to start? This friendly guide shows youhow to prepare a legal will or trust - either on your own or with professional help - and ensure that your wishes are honored. You'll handle everything from planning your bequests and writing and signing a will to selecting a trust and drafting your durable power of attorney.
Discover how to:
Provide for your children
Hire and work with professionals
Minimize tax liabilities
Amend or revoke a will or trust
Avoid common estate planning mistakes
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
Sprache
Verlagsort
Verlagsgruppe
Maße
Höhe: 231 mm
Breite: 188 mm
Dicke: 28 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-470-28371-4 (9780470283714)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Aaron Larson is an attorney practicing law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he lives with his wife and daughter. After graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, Aaron started practice as a quintessential small town lawyer, providing legal services that included estate planning, probate, and guardianship services. He subsequently worked for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he developed professional education programs for lawyers in areas including estate planning, litigation, and family law. His present legal practice focuses on civil appeals. He operates the ExpertLaw Web site (www.expertlaw.com), offering free legal information and assistance to consumers, as well as resources for legal professionals.
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started with Your Will or Trust 7
Chapter 1: Ensuring That Your Last Wishes Are Honored 9
Chapter 2: Making Crucial Decisions 25
Chapter 3: Gathering Pertinent Information 39
Chapter 4: Planning Your Bequests 49
Chapter 5: Providing for Your Children and Dependents 67
Chapter 6: Dipping into Your Pocket: The Tax Man (and Others) 75
Part II: Everything You Need to Know about Wills 93
Chapter 7: Writing and Signing a Will 95
Chapter 8: Navigating the Land Mines 111
Chapter 9: When You Already Have a Will 127
Chapter 10: Estate Administration: What Happens in Probate Court 137
Part III: Trust Me! How Trusts Work 149
Chapter 11: The Anatomy of a Trust 151
Chapter 12: Dead or Alive: Picking Your Trust 163
Chapter 13: When You Already Have a Trust 183
Part IV: Carrying Out the Intent of Your Will and Trust 193
Chapter 14: Planning for Your Incapacity 195
Chapter 15: Those Cushy Retirement Funds 217
Chapter 16: Life Insurance: Making Sure It Doesn't Backfire 229
Chapter 17: Your Castle: How It's Owned Makes a Huge Difference 241
Part V: The Part of Tens 257
Chapter 18: Ten Common Will Mistakes 259
Chapter 19: Ten Reasons to Have a Trust 267
Chapter 20: Ten Tax Traps to Avoid When Planning Your Estate 273
Part VI: Appendixes 281
Appendix A: State Signing Requirements 283
Appendix B: State Inheritance Taxes 307
Appendix C: Estate Planning Questionnaire 311
Appendix D: About the CD 333
Index 337
