Estate Planning Books

Do you have an aging or deceased parent with a houseful of stuff? If so, this is the book for you. Julie Hall has written a roadmap for harassed boomer children faced with liquidating their parents' lifetime accumulation of everything from valuable antiques to hoards of used Coolwhip containers. With humor and compassion, she walks us through this minefield of stubborn old folks who won't make decisions, squabbling siblings who won't pull together, and the many challenges of closing out a beloved parent's estate. Don't ride into this thicket with THE BOOMER BURDEN in your saddlebag.

Read this one before it is necessary! Having just lost a parent, a brother, and handling the estate of an aunt who transitioned to assisted living, we realize how helpful this book would have been in preparing for the inevitable. This book's approach honors the seniors' wishes, empowers them to make decisions while they can, and relieves the survivors of the enormous task of disposing of a lifetime of "accumulata". Highly recommended!

I recently purchased "The Boomer Burden" and "Get It Together, plus three other related books. I cannot say enough good things about them and what a tremendous help they were to me in completing ALL the necessary information so important to my family when I can no longer help. I'm probably boring my friends with my encouragement to them to buy these books and do what I did. I continue to read them and find some little tidbit of information worthy of adding to what I had already compiled.

Outstanding book. I am in the Greatest Generation but hve children in the Boomer generation.

This book is a must read for anyone with parents or in-laws. It gives you a clue as to what to do with a person's lifetime accumulation of belongings and eases the guilt that comes with getting rid of things your parents have touched. If you are reading this book after having cleaned out your parent's home, it will make you feel better about not keeping everything they owned. It can help you come to terms with your sibling's behavior that may not have been in line with your parent's wishes. Reading this book will also give you a new perspective on your own belongings and the nightmare you may be leaving for your own children or friends. I highly recommend this book!

I felt the book was easy to read. Not one to be read in one sitting, however. I have done extensive estate planning, will preparation, and will updates. However, this book presented some options that I am considering. It also showed me a couple of loopholes that I thought I had closed, that I probably don't. Well worth the money and time to read. I expect to go back to this book several times. I will be taking it with me to an attorney appointment.

This book probably presents every scenario you can think of if you want to protect your estate. Reading this book will provide you with intelligent questions while you discuss your estate planning with your attorney.

The book is not only informative, but also entertaining and easy to read. No legaleez to wade through. I highly recommend it.

Estate planning is so important if you don't want your son in law running off with half your estate in the event of your kid's divorce. This book was a great asset to me ... and a real eyeopener as to what can happen at the reading of your will if you haven't equalized everything. the author even gives you his phone number that readers can call and ask questions free. The book is so good I bought 4 extra copies for friends.

Only estate book I've seen written in an easy-to-read, mini-case-study format. Very practical and thought-provoking advice. Tends to focus on little worst-case scenarios in an attempt to get people to plan properly for all the things that can go wrong in an estate.

For what it's worth, I thought the book was generally best-suited for estates with $100,000 to about $2,000,000 in assets. Don't get me wrong, there's something in here for all estate sizes - especially for people just starting the process of developing a plan. However, don't buy this book looking for technical discussions of advanced tax-minimizing strategies. If you or your clients have estates over this $2MM mark, this book can be a great thought-provoker, but some of the advice isn't really suitable for larger estates.

I have several estate planning books...the "how to" type and they are great. This is the book you need to read before you start filling in the blanks. I wish my parents had read this book. It would have saved my family relationships. This book gives you the basic information you need before drawing up your trust. Protect your beneficiaries and prevent family conflict by reading this book!

This book is obviously aimed at a very specific market, but if you are one of those with some sort of shared, part-time home in the family, this is a well-organized discussion of the concerns you should address in order to give you the best chance of holding on to the property. It begins by illustrating some of the problems, discussing what may happen to the property if no plan is made, and then outlining the types of possible plans and what each may do to help the owners. The book raises topics such as who schedules occupancy? Can the property be rented? Who is responsible for maintenance? How will the property be taxed and how will the taxes be paid? As a lawyer, I find the very best reason to write things down in some form of contract is to make sure that all possibilities have been considered and resolved in a way that everyone participating understands. This book raises the issues that need to be discussed in a very methodical way.

My wife and I have a vacation cabin and I have often wondered how best to pass it on to our children. Should we leave the cabin to just one child so that it is not divided, or leave it to all of the children? How do our children and whatever families they might have share a small cabin? What happens if the cabin stays in the family for multiple generations and now there are potentially dozens of owners? How do the owners handle dividing up maintenance cost and fees and property taxes?

This book addresses these questions and more. It seems a very thorough coverage of the issues around leaving a cottage to others. The book discusses the benefits and drawbacks of various legal entities you could use, include partnerships, trusts, LLCs and corporations. It covers both the legal and personal issues involved in the process.

My only ding would be that fairly early on in the book they state their recommended legal mechanism (I won't spoil it for you), but don't explain the reasoning at that point or note that they will get back to it in a few chapters and explain it in great detail. So for the intervening few chapters I had a nagging question in the back of my mind about why they recommend that particular mechanism. It gets resolved in the end, just wish there was a sentence there noting that the explanation would be coming later.

I was impressed at the information presented in this book because is provides useful legal advice in plain language and important considerations whether you are the person leaving a cherished family cottage to your heirs or whether you are one of the heirs. (Let's face it, in many cases, you'll be both if the family cottage stays in the family for long enough).

It also let's you know the "default" rules and implications of doing nothing. After reading the book, we have decided which strategy most likely will fit the existing three generations in our family.

If the title attracted you, this is a good find and very useful resource before seeking legal counsel.

Review of NOLO's "Saving The Family Cottage: A Guide To Succession Planning For Your Cottage, Cabin, Camp, or Vacation Home" by Stuart & Rose Hollander.

Saving The Family Cottage explains the problems that will always pop up when family members with different interests and financial situations inherit a vacation home together. It offers solutions for families who want to preserve the valuable asset for successive generations.

This guide will help most Americans and Canadians as our mutual law is premised upon English Common Law. The exceptions will be Quebec and Louisiana premised upon French Civil Code. Although I rate this guide at five stars as it is eminently useful in explaining (among other things) landlord/tenant roles and responsibilities, transfers of property, tax consequences, and of course transfer under probate, it is still wise to seek out a practicing attorney in your area to help overcome any potential legal entanglements.

Well done.


JP

Wow! I couldn't believe it when I saw the TITLE of this book, let alone the contents. There couldn't be a more perfect book written to deal with matters that most people don't think about until the extended family is squabbling over it. My grandparents own a cottage on the Finger Lakes in NY state, and, even though my grandmother is gone now, so many family members and their friends still enjoy using the cottage. But it needs cared for, maintained, etc. and the schedule of using it, as well as the responsibilities of maintenance, must be carefully shared. This takes those considerations one step further. My dad is a small-town attorney, and I have a couple of other attorneys in my extended family, and we were STILL glad to have this book. It is, as are other NOLO titles, clearly and concisely written, easy to understand in layman's terms, yet still accurate explanations of legal things to consider. Well done!!

If you have ever attempted the futile climb up the corporate ladder, you will relate to the quick fictional story that starts this book.
These guys give solid, realistic advice.
BONUS: If you really want to dig deeper, subscribe to their podcasts!
They are listed in iTunes under The Real Estate Guys.
Thank you Robert and Russell! I'm on my way to making equity happen.

I have read many real estate investing books over the years and I must say, "Equity Happens" is the best one I have ever read! This book offers real-world strategies and tactics as well as how to "think" your way to becoming a successful real estate investor. Need a book on real estate investing? I would recommend "Equity Happens" be the very first book you read as it will lay the foundation for success!

This is a very good book, I've read several real estate books in the past and this one is one of the better ones. Content is more down to the real world and has a lot of number crunching which is great. Recommended reading.

This is a book that turns conventional wisdom on it's ear. This book was eye-opening for me in much the same way that "Rich Dad Poor Dad" was years ago. This book is a great starting point for anyone interested in real estate investing. I also recommend looking up their podcast on I-tunes called "The Real Estate Guys".

I learned of the book through a weekly podcast of Real Estate Guys Radio, which is hosted by the authors. I have read many books on real estate investing, but this one really challenged my thinking on several philosophies. (I hate to admit this, but I had some similar ideals to the fictitious Conrad Soomer in the introductory section).

Since finishing the book, I have created a written plan and made an offer on a six unit apartment building. I have also re-evaluated my previous guiding principle of paying down loans faster and am planning to pull some equity out of existing properties.

I strongly recommend this to any reader who understands that real estate investing is a proven way to build net worth, but needs a kick in the pants to get started.

I purchased this book here because it was MUCH more cheaper than buying it in my college.

I needed it for a class, and it served it's purpose.

My mother did not leave a will. I did not know where or how to begin the process of taking care of her estate. This book provides a wealth of information for persons with wills and without. Even though I did have to end up hiring an attorney, there where no surprises and if I had a question the book generally answered it. Good investment!

When a close relative passed away very unexpectedly, this book helped guide me through all the legal issues. In a very difficult time, it truly helped keep me afloat in a sea of the unknown.

My Mother passed away and we thought all the paperwork was in order and it was not. I got this book from Amazon and it has outlined every detail and possible stituation. I went and got all the forms and and in the middle of probate right now. Very, very well written for a simple probate case and non complicated estates.
If there are people who will contest the will or complicated properties, business deals; most likely, you will need a lawyer and probating yourself will not work. But if it is very clear and simple, you can probabe yourself. Great book, worh every penny spent on it.

This book really helped my wife go through the probate process for her mother's estate. Highly recommended book!

The best way one can prevent themselves from becoming a burden on their families as they age is making sure the money they saved for their retirement stays saved for retirement and is only used for that purpose. "Alive and Kicking: Legal Advice... for Boomers!" grants legal advice so you can keep your money so when you finally do go and kick that bucket, your family has something other than massive debts to remember you by. Tips on Living wills, scams and identity theft, caring for your own parents in your own advanced age, issues involving age discrimination, driving, sex, and more are covered. While treating itself as a law book first, "Alive and Kicking: Legal Advice... for Boomers!" isn't afraid to crack a joke or bust out a poem now and again, giving a different and attractive flavor, making it highly recommended for anyone who is rapidly approaching retirement age and wants to be prepared for it in the modern world. Also recommended to community library law shelves.

What I liked about the book is the vast amount of useful information on all areas of planning for ones over age 50 years. And its a book that my son who is under age forty, found interesting, because it discusses issues that many people may never have thought about. It also is a book that dispells the notion that becoming sixty or older, means getting 'old' and unable to do many of the things we love doing in our forties or fifties. Cannot recommend the book enough.

Who would have thought that serious and important legal and financial matters could not be dished out with generous helpings of humor? This book clearly proves that theory wrong. An easy read, the authors never skip a beat when it comes to thoroughly discussing what readers need to know about boomer legal matters. I've recommended this book on many occasions.

This book is a humorous treatment of the serious business of the legal aspects of aging. Chock full of useful information and every page is entertaining.

Whether your reading preference is poetic, humorous, pragmatic, or just plain down to earth, Hegland and Fleming cover difficult legal issues in a way that makes you want to keep reading! This information is must to have in every home, whether yet boomers or not!

Rarely have I read a casebook with as much useful commentary, attempts at light-heartedness, and acual decent backgrounds (and follow-ups) on various cases as this one. It shouldn't be confused with a page turner by any means, but it isn't painful to read, and is very insightful.

This is considered the premier casebook on the subject, and with good reason.

The book was almost exactly what was advertised. It would have been more helpful if the description had been a bit more specific - for example, that almost every page was extensively underlined. I'm satisfied with it; it meets my needs.

I got my book within the time specified and was exactly as the seller described it. I am very pleased with my purchase.

I was very happy with my purchase. It came in the condition as promised and sooner than expected. I would definitely purchase again from this seller. Thanks!

This book is of course informative. It is comprehensive. But what sets it apart is the fact that it is very educative and well written. The authors ask you to think deeply about the philosophy behind the "right" to pass down property to one's heirs, and then proceed to complicate conventional wisdom by pointing out that this is by no means a "right" in many places on planet earth. They also complicate the picture further by furnishing examples from French and Spanish common law as well as outstanding examples from Indian and slave law. How should the federal government properly discharge its trust obligations to Indian tribes? How can property own property? Very vexing questions indeed.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I'm not a lawyer, just a DIY autodidact, and I appreciate this book's intellectual substance immensely, not just its command of the facts. This seventh edition is current and anticipates the 2010 and 2011 anticipated "changes" to the tax code, along with some excellent insight.

Don't just get it because this casebook provides good "training" on the subject of Wills, Trusts, and Estates. Get it because the enthusiasm the authors bring to the subject shines through on almost every page and because this is a very important subject that every citizen in a "democracy" like ours needs to know.

The "60-Minute Estate planner" does the best job I've seen of being comprehensive, and yet easy to read at the same time. The graphic flow charts with their accompanying tables are a great aid to understanding. Even if you're not planning your estate this book is important to read. The book deepens your appreciation of how important it is for the Congress to repeal federal death taxes.

Back in 1999, I decided to do some estate planning. I decided to buy about 5 books to first learn the basics of estate planning......then see an estate planning attorney to set up my estate plan.

Of the five books that I read on estate planning, Kraemer's book was by far the best book. The main reason I liked Kraemer's book was his use of example flow charts, which show what happens to the money as each spouse dies. These flow charts also allow you to easily calculate the estate tax due at each step of the process.

The other books were very dry and boring.......and without the flow chart approach...it was not clear to me how bypass trusts work.

I highly recommend Kraemer's book as the best book on estate planning.......primarily due to the flow charts.

Kraemer also explains that the use of disclaimers can be a good thing.......and a good way to deal with the changing estate tax laws.

Kraemer's book allowed me to understand the basics of estate planning and bypass trusts. I was able to save time and money then working with an estate planning attorney to set up our bypass trusts.

Other good books on investing which may help you build a large enough estate so you get to worry about the problem of estate planning are shown below:

Index Mutual Funds: How to Simplify Your Financial Life and Beat the Pro's
The Richest Man in Babylon
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
The Millionaire Next Door
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing

Required reading for those wishing to estate plan with a systematic and informed approach. Excellent step by step directions help the reader learn information needed to work efficiently with an estate planner or other professionals and achieve desired results. Unique, innovative charts, flow diagrams and planning documents clarify concepts difficult to grasp through words alone. If you have an estate plan in place this excellent volume will confirm its appropriateness and provide helpful fine-tuning tips. This book contains all the various scenarios of estate planning allowing the reader to choose the relevant ones. It is interesting, well written and a valuable reference resource.

This book, like it's earlier volumns is a must read for anyone facing the challenges of estate planning either for themselves or their loved ones.

The 60-Minute Estate Planner has been an invaluable resource. I have all three editions and continue to find this book very useful. It provides quick and accurate answers to a variety of questions. This is the best book I've seen on estate planning.

H. Thuesen

As a student at Yale Law School planning to go into estate planning, I found this book very helpful. Highly recommended for anyone who needs to plan their estate or for law students taking estate tax or planning courses. This book is easy to understand, well organized, and provides a good amount of detailed information, not just vague ideas. Highly recommended.

This book provides an easy to understand overview of estate planning plus easy to understand detail on many special circumstances. It is very easy to understand which estate planning techniques are right for you, and there are many examples that illustrate how the techniques work. Approximately half of this book is relevant to everyone. The other half gives clear, common sense explantions of advanced planning techniques that are typically reserved for those fortunate enough to be planning a high net worth estate (lets say $1M+). The advanced techniques are not for do it yourselfers, but the book gives you a good understanding of the issues and lets you converse intelligently with an attorney.

Now in a newly updated and expanded seventh edition, Plan Your Estate is a resource provided by attorneys Denis Clifford and Cora Jordan which is packed from cover to cover with everything anyone needs to know to ensure their worldly goods are promptly willed to loved ones. Written in no-nonsense terms that the non-specialist general reader can readily grasp, individual chapters clearly address wills, how to avoid probate, living trusts, property-control trusts, naming guardians for children and leaving property to children, estate taxes, living wills, how to reduce estate taxes, and much, much more. Especially recommended for individuals who own a business or who have children from a former marriage, Plan Your Estate is a "must-have", "do-it-yourself" legal resource, which is applicable to all American states except for Louisiana. Even those who prefer to let a professional handle the whole process of estate planning would be well served to read Plan Your Estate cover to cover, before stepping into an attorney's office where time is money and the clock is running.

Great for law students taking an estate planning course or an estate and gift tax course. Also good for people wanting to learn about estate planning in general. I would recommend this book.

This book is a must buy resource for persons interested in estate planning. Whether you are planning to do-it-yourself or use a lawyer, it is good to know what your options are. I am much better informed after reading this book.

Great estate planning ideas and stories to get you thinking about how you want to provide for your loved ones, so that as you do your estate planning you can also transmit your family values.

This is a great book for anyone in the financial services industry or for those specializing in estate planning. These are real world cases that illuminate the need for proper planning by a qualified professional. This is also a great book if you are planning your own estate or you find yourself thrown into managing an estate for parents or loved ones. I can't say enough good things about this book or its authors.

I enjoyed the book, Best Intentions, and have given copies to several friends. It includes real-life examples that are easy to understand and addresses hard to face issues well. For those of us 'Baby Boomers' who do have the best of intentions for loved ones we will someday leave behind, it is a good way to start the dialogue and plans for the inevitable.

Using real stories, the author tried to tell you just a will may not be enough. You have to think, plan carefully before writing a will to make sure it is what you want to do with your leftover.

The stories show you a lot you never thought of. Worth reading for everyone.

An excellent book -- the best I've ever read on the subject. As a financial advisor I can't recommend it enough. Most find estate planning confusing. This book is not confusing. It's an easy read. Each simple, short, touching story illustrates a different problem that can arise by not doing good estate planning. It will make you think about your own situation with more clarity than was possible before. This book could be called Chicken Soup For Your Legacy.