How to Settle an Estate

Preface
Introduction
1. The Personal Representative: A Job Description
2. The Selection Process
3. What an Executor Must Know About the Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying
4. How and When to Use Other Members of the Estate Team
5. Avoiding Fiduciary Liability
6. Pre-death Planning Techniques
7. Getting Organized
8. The Formal Appointment: Probating the Estate
9. Disclaimers
10. After Probate
11. Tangible Personal Property
12. Retirement Plans and Other Government and Fringe Benefits
13. Life Insurance
14. Cash, Bank Accounts, and Listed Securities
15. Real Estate
16. Investing Estate Assets
17. Handling a Family Business
18. Jointly Owned Property
19. Trusts and Guardianships
20. Debts and Expenses
21. State Death Taxes
22. The Federal Estate-Tax Return
23. Gift-Tax Returns
24. Estate's Income-Tax Return
25. Decedent's Final Income-Tax Return
26. Tax Elections
27. Valuation of Assets
28. Charitable Bequests
29. Anatomical Gifts
30. Distribution
31. The Duties of a Trustee

Appendix:
Executor's Checklist
Power of Attorney
Living Will
Inventory After Probate
Executor's Letter and Information Form
Checklist to Avoid Federal Estate-Tax Audit
Federal Estate-Tax Asset/Deduction Finder
Approval of Account, Release and Indemnification
Statement Regarding Anatomical Gifts
Trustee's Checklist
Trust Receipt and Release
IRS Forms that May Be Useful
Glossary
Index
s