Most Americans donÆt have a will. They avoid estate planning because they donÆt want to think about death or they think itÆs too complicated. But this easy-to-follow guide takes the mystery out of the process. This book shows readers how easy it can be to plan for security and peace of mind. Readers learn how to write a will, create an estate plan, designate executors, choose trusts, reduce tax liabilities, and distribute their assets. Other features include: A glossary of legal terms Advice for protecting families from creditors Guidance for unmarried partners The important role of charitable giving in your estate plan This book provides sound advice for planning retirement and managing assets at any age and income level. It also includes completely new information on: Updated tax, IRA, and Roth details Charitable giving opportunities for reducing taxes and leaving a legacy Instruction for keeping plans up to date as the readers age An estate planning checklist

The Everything® Wills & Estate Planning Book takes the mystery out of the whole process and teaches you how to prepare for your family's security and peace of mind. Packed with practical instruction and professional advice, this thorough book teaches you how to write a will, create an estate plan, designate executors, choose trustees, avoid tax liabilities, and distribute your assets. Other features include: Sample wills, trusts, and other legal documents A glossary of legal terms Advice for protecting families from creditors Tips on how to choose a lawyer Guidance on selecting a child guardian This well-organized and easy-to-follow guide not only helps you avoid the many pitfalls of estate planning, but also provides sound advice for planning retirement and managing assets at any age and income level. AUTHOR: Kimberly A. Colgate is a former full-time law professor. She currently operates a private law practice in Florida, where she specializes in probate law and estate planning.

Most Americans donÆt have a will. They avoid estate planning because they donÆt want to think about death or they think itÆs too complicated. But this easy-to-follow guide takes the mystery out of the process. This book shows readers how easy it can be to plan for security and peace of mind. Readers learn how to write a will, create an estate plan, designate executors, choose trusts, reduce tax liabilities, and distribute their assets. Other features include: A glossary of legal terms Advice for protecting families from creditors Guidance for unmarried partners The important role of charitable giving in your estate plan This book provides sound advice for planning retirement and managing assets at any age and income level. It also includes completely new information on: Updated tax, IRA, and Roth details Charitable giving opportunities for reducing taxes and leaving a legacy Instruction for keeping plans up to date as the readers age An estate planning checklist

WE THE PEOPLE No lawyers. Save money. We The People is America's largest legal document services company. Dedicated to helping every American avoid the high cost of legal fees, We The People gives you the information you need to handle your own legal filings quickly, easily, and inexpensively. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have already liberated themselves from the tyranny of attorneys' fees--and now you can too! We The People's Guide to Estate Planning makes planning for your future as painless as possible--all without the added hassle of hiring a lawyer. This practical, nuts-and-bolts guide covers all the basics of do-it-yourself estate planning, and covers everything you need to know about living trusts, wills, probate, and estate taxes. Extra resources--a glossary of estate planning terminology; a section on frequently asked questions; samples of effective living trusts and a last will and testament; as well as worksheets and essential information on how to settle an estate--make this the best resource available for this important step in planning for the future. You'll have all the information you need to understand the legal language of a will or living trust and learn how to seek state-specific laws and customs so you can tailor your plans accordingly. In addition, you can download sample documents from which you can create your own. Inside, you'll learn all the basics and more: * Whether you need a living trust, a will, or both * Creating a valid last will and testament * Designating a successor trustee or executor to an estate * Deciding who gets what--and making sure they do * Setting up a living trust and funding it with assets * Understanding durable power of attorney documents and living wills * Tax-saving tips that help you leave more for your beneficiaries * Getting to know (in plain English) the legal language of your will or living trust * Where to download sample documents * Settling an estate with or without a valid will or living trust It's important to take care of the ones you love after you're gone. But if your estate planning isn't done clearly, precisely, and legally, you could end up creating more problems for your survivors than you solve. Do it right, do it inexpensively, and do it yourself--with We The People's Guide to Estate Planning.

Get your arms around wills, trusts, probate, inheritance taxes, and other important estate planning essentials Estate Planning For Dummies teaches you the ins and outs of estate planning. It’s all about drafting wills, dealing with probate, assigning powers of attorney, establishing living trusts, and beyond. Think you don’t have enough assets to merit estate planning? Think again. This everyone-friendly guide walks you through building a solid estate plan, whatever your current financial situation. In easy-to-understand language, you’ll learn the ins and outs of estate planning, including what happens to your stuff—cash, real estate, businesses, retirement funds, everything—when you pass away. This new edition is updated for the many recent changes in estate taxes and inheritance law. Make sure your assets get into the pockets of your heirs or wherever you want them to go, and learn how to accomplish it the For Dummies way. Understand state and federal estate and inheritance taxes Build an air-tight will and make sure your heirs get as much as they can Protect your estate’s privacy even after you’re gone Plan for the transition of a family business Prevent disagreements and uncertainty among your heirs Figure out how to pass on your digital assets This friendly guide is a must for people of any age in the process of drafting their wills and planning where their assets ultimately end up.

Finally, an Estate Planning Guide for Californians Every Californian’s Guide to Estate Planning helps you understand the basics of leaving money and property to loved ones and charities, and naming a guardian for children—with a special focus on issues unique to California, like: how community property rules affect inheritance and taxes how to minimize capital gains for those inheriting high value real estate legal and tax rules that apply to non-citizens and U.S. permanent residents important issues for international guardians, trustees, and executors how to understand the impact of “Prop 19,” and make sure your heirs don’t lose a low (“Prop 13”) property tax rate, and how to avoid California’s slow and expensive probate system through options such as transfer-on-death deeds. With Downloadable Worksheets Includes access to essential worksheets that help you get started on writing a will, preparing a trust, choosing a guardian, leaving money to kids, naming beneficiaries, choosing agents for your health care directive and power of attorney for finances, doing a personal inventory, and more.