Joseph Geist takes a job as a "conversationalist" for a wealthy, enigmatic woman who offers him a place to stay in her big, beautiful house. But as his friendship with his employer evolves from conversationalist to lodger to caretaker, Joseph finds himself at odds with the woman's troubled nephew, and decides to do whatever is necessary to maintain his position.

David Edey wants to save you a lot of trouble! In this self-help book he clearly, concisely, and repeatedly explains why it is important that every individual appoint an executor of their estate; what it means to be an executor of an estate; and how having a knowledgeable and responsible executor can help ensure a family’s wealth, welfare, health, and future happiness. The book is filled with advice, tips, and many real-life examples demonstrating what can go wrong (and what can go right), depending on whether or not families plan accordingly in advance, communicate clearly with one another, and are willing to put petty and selfish differences aside. No one likes talking about death and inheritances before they absolutely have to, but as Edey learned from personal experience, having these conversations earlier, rather than later, will save a lot of time and money, alleviate a ton of stress and ill feeling, and ensure that the deceased’s wishes are properly and efficiently carried out.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1873.

'Exquisitely metered, intimate and yet profound, glimmeringly intelligent...A worthwhile, interesting and impressive achievement’ Edward Docx, Guardian What matters most: fidelity or art? Marriage or friendship? The wishes of the living or the talents of the dead? Literary executor Matt Holmes finds himself considering these questions sooner than he thinks when his friend, the poet Robert Pope, dies unexpectedly. A trail of clues Rob has left within his archives leads Matt to a series of shocking discoveries that begins to unsettle everything he thought he knew about his friend. Should Matt conceal what he has found or share it? After all, it’s not just Rob’s reputation that could be transformed forever...

Readers say it best: "This book covers all aspects of estate settlement in a complete and thorough manner.", "The book is written in easy-to-understand terms, with lots of good practical advice.", "I actually bought it to place in my file cabinet along with my Trust documents, Living Will and other documents", "We liked it so much, I bought this book for a friend who was handling a new estate." Acting as the executor, representative, or administrator of an estate is a complicated and time-consuming task, not only in an administrative sense but often in an emotional sense as well. The Executor’s Handbook, Fourth Edition is a comprehensive guide for readers who need help understanding the basics of the procedures that settle an estate. In practical and straightforward language, it covers all aspects of estate administration, including funeral arrangements, organ donation, administering probate, dealing with the deceased's assets and liabilities, and personal representative's compensation. You will understand not only your responsibilities but the responsibilities of those who will be assisting you. Tables of state income tax rates, intestacy laws, and state-by-state probate requirements are also included, and a glossary, index, and list of recommended works complete this handbook.