Wealth can be transferred on death in a number of different ways, most commonly by will. Yet a person can also use a variety of other means to benefit someone on death. Examples include donationes mortis causa, joint tenancies, trusts, life-insurance contracts and nominations in pension and retirement plans. In the US, these modes of transfer are grouped under the category of 'will-substitutes' and are generally treated as testamentary dispositions. Much has been written about the effect of the use of will-substitutes in the US, but little is generally known about developments in other jurisdictions. For the first time, this collection of contributions looks at will-substitutes from a comparative perspective. It examines mechanisms that pass wealth on death across a number of common law, civil law and mixed legal jurisdictions, and explores the rationale behind their use. It analyses them from different viewpoints, including those of owners of businesses, investors, as well as creditors, family members and dependants. The aims of the volume are to show the complexity and dynamics of wealth transfers on death across jurisdictions, to identify patterns between jurisdictions, and to report the attitudes towards the different modes of transfer in light of their utility and the potential frictions they give rise to with policies and principles underpinning current laws.

Introduction / Alexandra Braun and Anne Röthel -- Will-substitutes : a US perspective / Thomas P Gallanis -- Will-substitutes in Canada / Angela Campbell -- Will-substitutes in England and Wales / Alexandra Braun -- Will-substitutes in Scotland / Daniel Carr -- Will-substitutes in New Zealand and Australia / Nicola Peart and Prue Vines -- Will-substitutes in Italian law / Gregor Christandl -- Will-substitutes in French law / Cécile Pérès -- Will-substitutes in German law / Anatol Dutta -- Will-substitutes in Switzerland and Liechtenstein / Dominique Jakob -- Will-substitutes from the perspective of business owners / Susanne Kalss -- Will-substitutes from the perspective of (international) investors / Paul Matthews -- Will-substitutes and creditors : Canada and the US / Lionel Smith -- Will-substitutes : the perspective of creditors in Germany, and England and Wales / Reinhard Bork -- Will-substitutes and the claims of family members and carers / Jonathan Herring -- Will-substitutes and the family : a continental perspective / Anne Röthel -- Exploring means of transferring wealth on deat h: a comparative perspective / Alexandra Braun and Anne Röthel

"A ... new philosophy and ... guide to getting the most out of your money--and out of life--for those who value memorable experiences as much as their earnings"--

Before the 99% occupied Wall Street... Before the concept of social justice had impinged on the social conscience... Before the social safety net had even been conceived... By the turn of the 20th Century, the era of the robber barons, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) had already accumulated a staggeringly large fortune; he was one of the wealthiest people on the globe. He guaranteed his position as one of the wealthiest men ever when he sold his steel business to create the United States Steel Corporation. Following that sale, he spent his last 18 years, he gave away nearly 90% of his fortune to charities, foundations, and universities. His charitable efforts actually started far earlier. At the age of 33, he wrote a memo to himself, noting ..".The amassing of wealth is one of the worse species of idolatry. No idol more debasing than the worship of money." In 1881, he gave a library to his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland. In 1889, he spelled out his belief that the rich should use their wealth to help enrich society, in an article called "The Gospel of Wealth" this book. Carnegie writes that the best way of dealing with wealth inequality is for the wealthy to redistribute their surplus means in a responsible and thoughtful manner, arguing that surplus wealth produces the greatest net benefit to society when it is administered carefully by the wealthy. He also argues against extravagance, irresponsible spending, or self-indulgence, instead promoting the administration of capital during one's lifetime toward the cause of reducing the stratification between the rich and poor. Though written more than a century ago, Carnegie's words still ring true today, urging a better, more equitable world through greater social consciousness.

Filled with real-life case examples, Estate Planning for the Healthy, Wealthy Family combines a positive attitude, deep psychological insight, and “hard” financial know-how for passing on money between family members while keeping relationships and values intact. With competence and empathy, the authors discuss such important moral issues as the role money plays in a happy family; how parents model their children’s values; and ways to build happy families where there is unequal wealth.

“Our #1 choice in estate planning books.” –Ken & Daria Dolan The bestselling guide to securing a sound financial future for you and your loved ones—updated for uncertain times In our time of political, social, and economic upheaval, taking steps to protect your estate isn’t enough to provide peace of mind for you or financial security for your loved ones. Given these new levels of uncertainty, you need to reduce risk by using life insurance and other financial products to fund estate planning. This new, fully updated edition of the estate planning classic helps you take your estate planning to the next level. In addition to all the basics on wills, jointly held property, taxation, and philanthropy, Protect and Enhance Your Estate covers the latest developments regarding: Disability planning Living trusts Asset protection Family limited partnerships Proper use of life and long-term care insurance