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 e Book file.
สารบัญ
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
เกี่ยวกับผู้แต่ง
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 Expert Law Web site (www.expertlaw.com), offering free legal information and assistance to consumers, as well as resources for legal professionals.