Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (8)

Hands on, long term familiy peace
I profound and comprehensive book on long term principles and practices to preserve family wealth (human an financial).
Addresses issues of significant importance in the wealth management process
As principal of a financial planning and wealth management firm, I highly recommend this book for families who have acquired wealth and want their children and future generations to be concerned about their human, intellectual and social development in addition to the growth of their financial resources.
Recognizing the importance of human and intellectual capital in family business settings
I have read many books on the subject of family businesses, and this book has done an excellent job in recognizing that the development of human and intellectual capital in families is a precondition for the continued development of financial capital.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Economic aspects    4. Estate planning    5. Estates & Trusts    6. Family    7. Finance    8. Finance, Personal    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. United States    11. Investment & securities    12. Law / Estates & Trusts    13. Social classes    14. Topical/Family   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding and comprehensive coverage of estate planning.
The book is so clearly written, with explanations followed by simple examples.It covers every aspect I could think of, with occasional advice that you could do this yourself, or sometimes that you really need a lawyer.If you have a substantial estate you will probably want to have an expert do the work.But you should read this book so you know what the expert is doing (or you could pay the expert $200-300 an hour to educate you on basics).Simply the best book Ihave read all year.

Plan Your Estate 8th Edition
Excellent resource for estate planning. Readable (plain English) , concise and to the point. Covers many areas of estate planning that most other estate planning books fail to mention ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate Planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Personal Finance - General    6. Personal Finance - Taxation    7. Popular works    8. Practical Guides    9. United States   

Editorial Review

Most of us know that upon our demise, a succession of fees and taxes will eat into our estates--no matter their size--if we don't plan now to protect them. Unfortunately, many of us still postpone this process because we hesitate to summon the outside legal assistance that's traditionally been required. The folks at Nolo Press have made it their mission to provide us with the means to complete a relatively uncomplicated official arrangement like this without lawyers, however, and their third edition of Read more

Reviews (7)

Attorney Approved
I am an attorney (shyreslaw.com) and I highly recommend this book for those who could use a simple trust and want to avoid probate.Even if you decide to hire an attorney, this book is invaluable because it offers great insight into trusts and avoiding the probate system.
Recommend highly...

Great buy!
This book was a god-send! I was skeptical at first because I have no legal backround and I thought that making my own living trust would be complicated at best, impossible at worst. But following a recommendation of a friend I decided to give do-it-yourself law a shot. Boy am I happy I did! I saved a fortune in legal fees and was able to get the job done just as well as if I'd had a lawyer coaching me every step of the way.Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate Planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Living Trusts    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Popular works    9. United States   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Estate Planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Forms    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Living Trusts    8. Personal Finance - General    9. Popular works    10. Practical Guides    11. United States    12. Wills   

Reviews (43)

Getting Notary Signature
My husband & I bought this product after reading the reviews on Amazon, so we thought it would be OK for residents of New York state. However, before you buy it, you should check with the laws of the state you live in, because in New York state, it is now our understanding that a Notary cannot sign & witness a Will. We completed the information on the Will. We had to cut & paste a part of it, because it left out information on my husband's Will. My Will printed all OK, but his had empty spaces no matter how many times we tried to print it. After the final paste, we went to find a Notary. We went to banks, and to the town hall, and everywhere we were told none of the Notaries would sign for a Will. One Notary told us she'd lose her license if she did. Finally we checked on line at New York laws, and based on the information there, we now have an appointment with a lawyer to make our Wills. So for us, we couldn't find any Notary to notarize our Wills.
pathetic
during startup, it asks if you have audio. as i don't like talking apps, i click "no" - no audio. it starts blabbing. kill the audio on the computer.
Will & Trust Software Poor
There is much better will and trust software on the market.This software doesn't allow you to edit or make any changes in the document.It is not a word processor either.You cannot talor the document to you needs.Recommend you get another product or same your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Estate planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Personal Finance    5. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    6. Personal Finance - Money Management    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Software    9. Software - Business - CDROM / Universal    10. Trusts and trustees    11. United States    12. Wills    13. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Money Management   

Reviews (5)

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!
This book is outdated.
It is difficult to understand how this book got the endorsement of AARP.It has only had three reviews and the last one was in October of 2005.Being published in 2004 puts the information behind the times, especially if you live in California.As the author of the book "Everything A Baby Boomer Should Know," published only weeks ago, I think AARP should reevaluate what it recommends to us Baby Boomers as a reliable resource to educate our need to know how the system works.

The best advice
This is not a "how to" book.It is an exhaustive discussion of all of the options people have in planning their estates.This includes what can go wrong and how to avoid these problems.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Finance, Personal    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Trusts and trustees    7. Wills    8. BUSINESS - PERSNL FINANC TRD PB    9. Law / Estates & Trusts   

Reviews (6)

Review of Executor's Guide
I discovered this book in the our city library, and decided to purchase it as I felt that it would be very useful.It covered most of the areas of information an Executor or Trustee would want to know.My neighbor also read the book and some of the subject areas made her decide to go back to an attorney with more questions concerning her current Trust.
Comprehensive, if a little redundant
I would recommend The Executor's Guide not only to people who have been (or expect to be) named executors, but to anyone preparing a will or living trust.One of the most valuable chapters, in fact, is designed to help a future executor, by listing information he or shw would need to settle your estate -- bank accounts, location of vital records, etc.For those who are about to go through probate or distribute property held in trust, the book literally gives step-by-step instructions, all with a minimum of legalese and jargon.My only criticism is that some ideas -- even whole paragraphs -- are repeated in different chapters.But if you don't intend to read the book cover to cover, that wouldn't be a problem (and it might not bother you even if you do).

Provides A Good Starting Point, But Could Do More
This book does a fine job of providing a basic overview of all steps of the probate process and for settling a trust.It is well organized, easy to read, and provides good sources of additional information.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Charity laws and legislation    3. Estate Planning    4. Estates & Trusts    5. Executors and administrators    6. Hawaii    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Personal Finance    9. Personal Finance - General    10. Trusts and trustees    11. United States   

Reviews (2)

Great Book By A Great Teacher
Gerry Beyer was my "Wills and Trusts" professor in law school.He was my favorite teacher, and the favorite of many of my fellow law students, for several reasons:first of all, he had an excellent command of the law.There wasn't an aspect of it he didn't know.Secondly, he taught in a clear and concise manner.Many of my law professors were "hide-the-ball" types:their clumsy use of the Socratic method left students lost and confused.When Professor Beyer lectured, you knew exactly what point he was trying to make.You didn't have to guess at it.Finally, he was a warm, friendly, humorous guy - very approachable and not at all intimidating, a rare trait in a lawyer.This book is everything Professor Beyer is: knowledgeable, approachable, and clear.And as a rookie attorney in the field of wills, trusts, and estate planning, this is the book I turn to first and foremost as a reference.That said, I believe this book is most appropriate for law students, paralegals, practicing attorneys, and others who need a serious grasp of wills, trusts, and estate planning law.Those who want a simple, cursory introduction may find themselves overwhelmed by all the legal jargon - as was mentioned by a previous reviewer.

explanatory but too much jargon
it's a good book but youshould keep in hand a law dictionary. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Estate planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Outlines, syllabi, etc    7. Trusts and trustees    8. United States    9. Wills   

Reviews (1)

A Must-Have for Wills & Trusts Students
I usually don't use hornbooks, but I was stumped with all the Wills and Trusts material.I initially got the Examples & Explanations book, which was a HORRIBLE MISTAKE.It lacks even the most basic concepts.I then went for Emanuel's, which was keyed to our textbook, and it was a dream come true, especially the mini briefs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estates & Trusts    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Reference    5. Wills   

Reviews (16)

A popular estate planning alternative in easy to understand book
As principal of a financial planning and wealth management firm, an important part of my service is to help clients coordinate their estate plan with other aspects of their financial picture, such as investments, retirement planning, insurance and tax issues.
The BEST BOOK on this subject - Period!
Henry Abts is the foremost authority on the workings of a Living Trust in the nation.After researching more I learned that Henry was basically the pioneer of hte living trust industry and has collected the best legal minds to help him in his handling of this important subject.
The BEST
This book gives all the answers in clear, easy to understand language.I have spent a lot of time researching the subject and this is the only source I feel I can trust (get the pun?) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Estate Planning    4. Estates & Trusts    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Living trusts    7. Personal Finance - General    8. United States    9. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    10. Law for the lay person    11. Personal finance   

Reviews (8)

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.
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. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Estate Planning    5. Estates & Trusts    6. Law    7. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    8. Popular works    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    11. Law for the lay person    12. Personal finance    13. Property & real estate   

Reviews (5)

An Excellent Primer on Trusts

Great reference book for new practitioners!
I have only purchased this book tonight, yet not on Amazon.com.I actually went to Borders and paid full price.Reason being, I could not wait to get my hands on a reference book to help me conceptualize projects and cases that I presently deal with at work as a new estate and tax planning attorney.I hear about ABC trusts, GST trusts, Living Trusts, just to name a few, every day.Yet I don't have the slightest idea about the particular mechanics of many of these valuable estate planning and tax saving tools.
Written in Legaleeze...got a better book for you
Read "Beyond the Grave, The Right Way and the Wrong Way of Leaving Money to Your Children" instead of this book or before you read this book.I bought both and gave up on this book after a couple chapters.Itwas a struggle to get through.Very dry, written like a tech manual, areal sleeper.Go read the reviews on Amazon for Condon's book beforedeciding which one to order.Trust me, you want the other book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Estate Planning    5. Estates & Trusts    6. Law    7. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    8. Popular works    9. Trusts and trustees    10. United States    11. Business & Economics / General    12. Equity & trusts    13. Finance    14. Personal finance    15. USA   

Reviews (7)

Gates and Buffet aren't the only ones who need an estate plan
After dealing with the aftermath of my father's death, I resolved I was going to do things differently.I read a number of estate planning books, but Cornwall's was far and away the most helpful. Written in simple layman's language, Everything a Baby Boomer Should Know demystifies the legal process. The book is also refreshing because the author discusses real-life topics. You think you have complex family issues?Consider what Bonanza's Ben Cartwright would face in today's legal environment.These are the types of clever examples Cornwall laces through the chapters.I can't afford the kind of legal muscle Gates and Buffet have, but I can certainly follow their example by knowing all my options and taking charge of my legacy.This book is definitely one of the most informative and easiest to read books on this topic.

You Need This Book
As a CPA I marvel at two things:First, the amount of wealth that is being transferred from the Greatest Generation to their children, the Baby Boomers, and how much of that wealth will be added to and passed on to the Boomer's children.Second, how many estates are badly planned (or not at all) under the impression that "we're not rich, so we don't need to do anything".(Guess what: if your estate consists of a modest house and/or an IRA, the systems of probate and estate taxes may consider you very rich!).
The flow charts make estate planning come to life
Everything a Baby Boomer Should Know, simply put, is an extremely well thought out estate planning guide.I found Mark Cornwall's book to be extremely intuitive, shedding light on estate planning in a fun easy to understand format. From the very first moment I picked up the book and flipped through a few pages landing on one of the many lively flow charts things started to make sense.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Living Trusts    6. Practical Guides    7. Law / Practical Guides    8. Law-Estates & Trusts    9. Law-Living Trusts   

Subjects:  1. Estates & Trusts    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Probate law and practice    5. Trusts and trustees    6. United States    7. Wills    8. Business & Economics / General    9. Equity & trusts    10. USA    11. Wills & probate   

Reviews (6)

Just What the Doctor Ordered
This is an excellent book.It answered all of my questions about handling my estate, and it answered many questions that never occurred to me.The writing is straightforward and easily understood.The title is THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION GUIDE TO WILLS AND TRUSTS, but it covers a good deal more:steps to help your family now; estate plans; avoiding or reducing estate taxes; transferring property without a will; securing long-term care help; and many other topics relating to managing your estate and passing it on to your heirs.This is a very useful book.

The American Bar Association wants you confused.
Don't be a sucker. The ABA is not going to help you understand the probate or non-probate system.I have been a lawyer for over twenrty years, and I can't understand what they are trying to say.They want you to give up rather than understand the tools of estate planning.I am the author of "Everything A Baby Boomer Should Know -- An Insider's Guide To Estate Planning."Compare it to the contents of this ABA book.The difference is that the ABA book is nothing more than another textbook that speaks over your head.Read my book and truly understand how the system works for you.I promise.

Good Guide to Estate Planning
Thorough and fairly easy to understand.It does a particularly clear discussion of trusts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. General    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Popular works    6. Practical Guides    7. Reference    8. Tax planning    9. United States    10. Wills    11. Reference / General   

Reviews (1)

Not sure if order has been cancelled yet
Have been waiting now over 5 weeks for this book to arrive.Class will be over in 9 weeks.Could not afford to wait any longer.Bought at local bookstore.Still have no idea whether book will be arriving in mail sometime this year, or whether order has been cancelled.Web-site will not let me cancel order. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Estates & Trusts    5. General    6. Law    7. Legal Profession    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Legal assistants    10. Probate law and practice    11. Trusts and trustees    12. United States    13. Wills    14. Business & Economics / General    15. Education    16. Private, property, family law    17. USA   

Reviews (3)

Updates with latest laws mean always up-to-date legal documents.
Great software.Simple to use.The legal team at Quicken/NOLO appear to constantly be surveying the legal findings in the courts and automaticly push the implications into the software as updates.The best part is that as the laws change, the software alerts you when you need to reprint and resign your legal documents so that they comply with the latest laws.It is the perfect balance of accurate legal advice at a very fair price.

Incredible Guide for Peace of Mind
This book & CD set are all you need to do proper, professional looking Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care & Finance, and related documents.Peace of mind at a fraction of the price for an attorney's clerk to do exactly the same things you can do with WillMaker Plus.

Book and software
This "book" is basically a printed user's guide to the Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 software, which is included on the accompanying CD-ROM.That is, you get the software itself and a thick printed guide, not a bad deal at all.The guide is actually more than just a manual; instead it gives you a lot of background information on property rights, wills, living wills, living trusts, estate planning, etc.I think this is a better bundle than the software itself which doesn't even come with a printed manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Business & Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Estate Planning    5. Estates & Trusts    6. Forms    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - General    9. Personal Finance - Taxation    10. Popular works    11. United States    12. Willmaker    13. Wills   

Reviews (19)

The answer to my prayers
What a relief!!! I finally found a book that would help me help my parent plan their estate!Thank you so much for your wonderful, easy to read book.Once I picked it up, I could not put it down!This book has practical, real world examples of inheritance planning issues and considers the "human" side of inheritances.It's a must read if you need to do estate planning.I just came back and bought three copies to give to my friends.It's the best gift I could possibly give them!

Can prevent heartache among your children
This is an extremely well-written book on the financial and emotional guidelines for estate planning.My wife's father committed several of the oversights highlighted in this book,
Great book!
Wow....I really needed this book. It puts "sensitive" issues into perspective and just might save relationships after I'm gone. Thanks so much for this most important book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Inheritance and succession    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    7. Personal Finance - Money Management    8. Popular works    9. United States    10. Wills    11. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Money Management   

Reviews (2)

Saved my bacon
The casebook and two days of classes left me utterly befogged - but an evening with this book cleared the mental clouds and clued me in. Most useful: the pages of questions - you get to test your understanding and check your answers against the detailed explanations. Lots and lots of questions, so you go over each point time and again. Especially useful for the Rule against Perpetuities.

a must for first year property
This book got me through property my fist year at law school.The answers for the study problems are wonderful in the fact that they explain exactly what you need to know to understand the reasoning behind the legal pricipal.This book was reccomended to my class by my professor to help us get through the toughest part of property law, Future interests. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estates & Trusts    2. Estates (Law)    3. Future interests    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Problems, exercises, etc    7. Property    8. United States   

Reviews (6)

Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To by Melanie Cullen
My mother died suddenly and left her estate in a total mess. I was left shocked, grief-stricken and alone in struggling to make sense of what needed to be done. I wouldn't wish that ordeal on anyone let alone on those I love. This workbook and companion organizer is the perfect solution. Nothing will be left to guesswork if I am incapacitated or dead. It is thorough yet simply organized and written from a compassionate perspective. It is a gift of love to provide this kind of direction to those who must make decisions on your behalf.

Just What I Needed
I've recently retired and am looking forward to years of "re-engaging" with activities I haven't had time to focus on during all those years of full-time work and rearing children. Get it Together is exactly what I needed to provide essential background information and help me organize all the documentation I want my family to have. Now I can travel and do the things I've been looking forward to without worrying about whether my children will be able to figure out what I would have wanted them to know in case something should happen to me.
Caring and Compassionate
Melanie Cullen has approached a very difficult topic with insight and compassion. Starting with the Letter to Loved Ones, Health Care Directives, Funeral and Memorial Services, through various chapters on the disposition of assets - including Pets and Livestock - she offers helpful guidance in a straightforward, friendly manner. Whether you already have everything together or haven't a clue where to start, "Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To" is an excellent guide that will make it easier for your loved ones to help in the event that you are incapacitated, or to manage your estate when you are gone.The forms in the bookand on the CD can be easily organized and updated in the companion Planner.A must read for everyone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Estate Planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Personal Finance    6. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Popular works    9. Practical Guides    10. United States