Estate Planning Books

I bought the previous edition of this book several years ago and learned so much from its straight forward, well-organized and clear presentation (I am neither an accountant nor a tax person) that co-workers and family members began quizzing me on matters of estate planning. This book allowed me to answer many questions and also enabled me to have a very intelligent conversation with a professional estate planner. I consider the book such a valuable resource that I just purchased the updated edition.

Outstanding book to educate yourself on estate planning. This book will prepare you for the planning process so you can understand what your estate planning attorney is talking about and what he or she is trying to accomplish for you. It also very clearly outlines the fallacies inherent in trying to conduct estate planning without competent legal counsel. The authors tell you know how to find competent advice and how to arrange conduct free consultation interviews with any prospective estate planning specialists. If you are even thinking about estate planning, GET THIS BOOK!

I am an estate planning attorney, not affiliated with any of the author's companies, and I think this book is a "must read" for anyone who is serious about planning his/her estate.

By the way, estate planning is for everone, not merely the "wealthy." The cost (in time and fees) to have a customed designed and implemented estate plan will probably be the best investment you will ever make to protect and preserve your wealth for your loved ones.

This book was better than most I've read on estate planning. Its objective was to familiarize the reader with the estate planning process. I'm not sure it really covered "the process." But I think it educates the reader well enough to be an educated consumer when consulting an estate planning attorney for help in estate tax planning matters.

As I read I got the feeling the authors were anti-probate and pro- living trusts. And there were certain things included in the book that made it sound like a promotional piece for the authors' own law practices and organizations. I would have liked it better if the book had not come across as a promotional piece.

The authors say to treat this book as a survey of what estate planning can be. When reading this book (7 years after it was written) I got the feeling the content could have been a bunch of blog entries the authors have posted online that they conveniently strung together to make a book. There are 42 chapters and 4 "entries" in the appendix. And the book is only 330 pages long.

I was looking for a Glossary of Terms, but failed to find one. The book would have been better with one. And I would have liked the book better if Appendix D about the history of estate planning had been moved to the front.

Chapter 1: What is estate planning? I felt this chapter was lousy. It was wordy and vague and not really accurate. Estate planning is really "estate tax planning." It is not financial planning or "wealth strategies planning" as the authors suggest. Nor is estate planning to be confused with "disability planning." As a result, I'm not sure why Chapter 4 was included.

Chapter 8: Probate. I enjoyed reading about estate administration in this chapter. But I think the authors did the reader a disservice by equating the probate process to estate administration. Other problems I had with this chapter include the statement made that executors work for the probate court or probate judge. This simply is not true! Executors work for the estate (a separate legal entity). And the statement that probate is complicated is not accurate as stated. In some cases it can be. But in most it is NOT.

Chapter 9: The federal estate tax. Here the authors repeatedly referred to the estate tax as a death tax. The estate tax has nothing to do with death. It only has to do with wealth transfers. If a poor person dies, then no estate tax is due. If the estate tax were really a death tax, then a tax would be due when a poor person dies.

Chapter 10: The unified system. I had a problem with the material the authors chose to talk about here. Why was it necessary to discuss the way things used to be? As far as I am concerned the book would have been much better if the authors had stuck to the present and explained how things are now. The presentation of the material would have been much more straighforward and easy to understand. 4 stars!

It won't answer every possible question, but it answers the most important ones like:

-Does this apply to me?
-Is there a way to pay less taxes in Situation A?
-What are the tax implications of buying/selling/renting?

It's a handbook so you don't need to read front to back, just hit the sections of interest. I kept mine around to refer to and FOR tax time. I had some complex questions about calculating partial years' ownership for selling multiple personal residences within 2 years and it gave me everything I needed to arrange a tax plan. Always double checked w/accountant, but good to go.

Getting smart on taxes is the #1 way to improve your investment returns on real estate. This book is worth the investment.

This book is not meant to be read cover-to-cover. It would take a very patient and determined reader to go through every example and exception and tax detail. However, it is in these details that this book stands out. The language used is straightforward, the examples are well thought-out and realistic. Use the book more like a reference - go directly to the chapter related to your intended transaction; the chapters are quite self-contained.

I believe this book is a necessary addition to any real-estate investor's library. Spending 30 minutes reviewing the chapter related to your contemplated real-estate transaction will fill you with ideas for suitable tax strategies.

This Third Edition is a great book for all real estate investors, whether yoa are an agent or not. In fact I think that is more valuable for the knowledgeable investor. The author is a CPA and real estate broker, who has written a marvelous book relating the Federal Tax code to real estate applications. There are chapters on Personal Residence Exclusion of $250,000/$500,000, Capital Gains, and Installment Sales. you will find detail in this book that is not present in any other tax book for real estate investors.

There are 4 chapters on the Section 1031 Like Kind exchange alone. There are also 4 chapters on the Passive Loss Rules. In addition there are other chapters on Home Mortgage Deduction, Depreciation, and the Home Office. The text is easy to read and very informative. There are lots of Tips throughout all the chapters advising the reader of good things to do as well as inadvisable tactics. Dealer Status is covered all too briefly in my opinion, as I would have liked to seen more on that subject. I would also have liked to seen more on corporations and there is no mention of Limited Liability Companies. But despite these shortcomings the book is excellent and covers the topics in good detail. This is obviously a dry subject and reading the manuals and guidelines can sometimes give one a headache. But with this book no aspirin is needed. This book is a must for any serious real estate investor, whether you do your taxes yourself or hire a professional. This book should be required reading before you get your real estate investor secret decoder ring.

This 3rd edition of Vern Hoven's book is an excellent reference for real estate brokers and agents. I have given it as a Christmas present to all my agents. I have also alerted a client to a potential tax problem his CPA overlooked, but I recognized as a result of reading this book.

I have used this tax guide as the main reference in writing a continuing education course on the subject of IRS section 1031 tax deferred exchanges. Vern does the most thorough job of covering this subject that I have read.

Vern covers the timing and consequence of most real estate transactions. He also covers personal tax consequences, such as "office-in-home" rules, which apply to real estate agents.

I recomemnd this book highly in all the real estate courses I teach and sometimes use it as a prize in classroom games. Whether you are a real estate investor or agent you should read this book and keep it near your desk.

I researched and ordered several books on the subject in preparation for creating my own son's Special Needs Trust, Limited Conservatorship, life planning, etc. This one puts it all together very well, and is a must have, and a must read.

It was evident that the authors are experts in the financial planning field and have combined their professional expertise with their personal knowledge and passion as parents with special needs children of their own.

This book will be an excellent resource for parents, family members and anyone who is involved with special needs children and adults.

Mike
San Diego, CA

I have yet to completely read either book I ordered, but my first impression is that I'm glad I ordered "The Special Needs Planning Guide." At first, I was only going to order the "Special Needs Trust Administration Manual." This "Planning Guide" appears to be less about the legal terms and more about the overall life one will now lead with a Special Needs family member. It divides up the stages of life, and chapters of the book, by milestones the Special Needs individual will experience throughout his or her life. It doesn't have to be read in order. If you have a Special Needs child who is about to turn 18 and become an adult, you could read the introduction and go right to that chapter/section. In the introduction, it states that the authors have taken into account the emotional aspects involved in the different stages and those emotions experienced by all members of the team/family. I have a feeling that I am going to get more out of this book than the original book I purchased regarding a Special Needs Trust administration. If I had completely read the book, I'm thinking I'd be giving it a 5 star rating...but keep in mind; at this point, I have only read the introduction, parts of the first chapter and skimmed the rest of the book. It's meant to be with you as a resource throughout your life and the life of the individual with special needs.

A comprehensive guide with plenty of real world scenarios, tools, and advice. By far the best guide I have read so far. If you have a family member who lives with special needs, take this book to your financial adviser. If they are not aware of this info, find a new adviser. In special needs planning, doing the wrong thing can be worse than doing nothing at all.

In a word, this book is a goldmine.

The book explains the differences between traditional and special needs financial planning and outlines extensively and concretely the questions you need to be asking yourself in order to be able to come up with some answers to very difficult planning questions.

These authors address not only the financial piece of the puzzle but also integrate the family, psychological, and legal aspects of planning.

The book is clearly laid out, addresses the planning needs in childhood, adolescence and adulthood and the authors shows a deep understanding of the highly difficult process of planning for the future of a disabled individual.

The book provides a clear direction for what you need to be doing and when
and greatly reduced my own feeling of being overwhelmed.

first chapter is dry but the rest of the book is a thorough compilation of techniques, history, design, purpose and review.

first chapter is dry but the rest of the book is a thorough compilation of techniques, history, design, purpose and review.

Dunne & Leopold's "Water In Environmental Planning" is a great tool of reference for the planner of any type. It addresses key issues in the role of water during the planning process and also includes important formulas for solving water problems. If you can get past a boring first chapter, this book is well worth the money and makes a great reference for the urban, rural or environmental planner. 4 stars.

Despite its age and somewhat outdated nomenclatures, this book is still the best comprehensive introductory hydrology book in existence. There are better quantitative hydrology texts (e.g., Dingman), better engineering texts (e.g., Chow and prodigies), more cogent overviews of hydrology (e.g., Hornberger et al.), and more appropriate "handbooks" (e.g., Chow or Maidment). But, Dunne and Leopold is the only text I know of that provides a good balance among applied context, quantitative tools, and conceptual descriptions of basic and integrated processes while retaining its comprehensive character without copious mistakes and errors. I sincerely hope that a new, similarly good text emerges soon.

A MUST READ for those contemplating to set up wills and estates and for those who have already completed theirs.
It is written so that the average person is not bogged down by legalese.
The authors backgrounds are outstanding so you know you are reading something with merit.
Joanie G

It really gives you a clear picture about end of life and Will issues. What I liked most about the book is the manner it which it is written: on one hand it is very easy to read, unencumbered by excessive technical language, on the other hand, tons of relevant information is squeezed in.

You couldn't ask for better reference guide on this subject. It is short, clear, and right to the point. It approaches what for many people is a very uncomfortable subject with practical, constructive information and light, wise humour

The Living Will/Medical Power of Attorney section was particularly interesting subject to me to understand in light of Terry Schiavo story. After trying to research this issue on-line I became very tired of drinking from the Internet "fire hose", but Zaffts made it absolutely clear within few pages, and without guilt and depression. What a gift!

THE EARLIER VERSTION WAS GIVEN TO US BY AN ATTORNEY. THE UPDATED VERSION IS ALSO A VERY GOOD READ. I PURCHASED ONE FOR MY BROTHER IN LAW AND HIS WIFE ALSO

Was A very well written book it deserves 10 stars at the maximu

This book is an informative, well written source for estate planning.

Everyone needs one!!!

"Dan Nigito has a very entertaining style, which combines dry wit with real life examples. In the years I've known him, I've come to respect how clearly he can explain a complex subject. His sense of humor and step-by-step action plan make this book a joy to read." John J. Shaw, President of the NFL World Champion St. Louis Rams

Dan shares with his readers the same 7 step program that he has used to position many of our clients to potentially save millions of dollars that might have been lost to Federal estate, income and capital gains taxes. His uncanny ability to put estate planning into understandable terms makes this book, and his plan, clear, concise and extremely compelling.

Dan Nigito showed me how I could protect my life's work from tax devastation for my children, multiply it without tax for my grandchildren, while avoiding capital gains taxes and picking up a tax deduction for Betty and myself! The Family Foundation we created will keep our philanthropic legacy alive long after we're gone. And we did it all with money we would have lost to taxes anyway! Take his advice and Don't Die Until You Read This!

This book is one of the most valuable estate planning resources I've seen.
--John P. Napolitano, CFP(R), CPA, PFS, MST, RLP(R), Chairman and CEO of U.S. Wealth Management. Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Personal Financial Planner (Complete Idiot's Guide to) and the upcoming Complete Idiot's Personal Financial Workbook.
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"The Wealth Counsel's new book, Estate Tax Strategies, clearly shows the reader who has an interest in preserving and protecting his or her hard earned wealth the procedure to make sure those dollars and benefits go to the ones they love. Written and edited by experienced estate planning experts, it flows, is easy to follow and has good illustrations and flowcharts to boot."
John J. Checki Jr. CPA, CFP®, CRC®
Securities America, Inc.
www.johncheckijr.sarep.com

As a practicing tax and estate planning attorney, and as one of the contributing authors (Chapter 4), I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested is learning why estate planning is so important to everyone as well as anyone who wants to know more about the tax issues associated with estate planning. Even though I've been practicing for over 15 years, I still learned plenty from the other contributing authors. This book is well written and contains loads of information for the lay person and those with more than a basic understanding of estate planning. My website at contains more information about this book and estate planning generally, as well as the schedule of my upcoming webinar series based on this book. Moore McLaughlin, Esq., CPA.

Well said Your Royal Highness.This book is not only about Highgrove,the Prince of Wales' estate.But what it is really about is the transition from conventional into organic gardening and farming.Prince Charles has a lot of influence and connections to sources that can only help this planet to start healing.A lot of industrial methods of farming techniques took so much out of the soil,poisoning it with chemicals,and now it is time for us to gather and start changing our actions,and putting back what we took out of it.We need to think that every gesture has a consequence.A price to pay.
And that is why people of this earth are very lucky to have an ambassador such as the Prince of Wales.His battle to make nations understand these consequences is a hard task.
Of course we do not all have his kind of ressources.We also do not have a team of gardeners to weed and manage our garden.But think about it this way.We also do not have an agenda as charged as Prince Charles'.So every gardener,every farmer can do what this book preaches and prays for.Respect and listen to the land that is yours.As big or as small a parcel it may be.
We can do it.
I learned about the old ways of farming.Why they put the cows on a straw diet before calving.How to increase the chance of twin or triplet lambs.How to prepare the farming season,when to cut hay and why to do it this way......and the list goes on.
This book contains things the old folks teach us.Traditions handed down fron generation to generation.Things that you would not usually find in books.
"Highrove:Portrait of an Estate" is a Jewel.It should belong in every book collection,may it be as a coffee table book,but also as a reference for times to come.

I first knew of Highgrove when I read that Charles had purchased it with an eye to his tremendous interest in organic farming. "Another beautiful country home for the Royals," I mused. But, after reading this book, I began to realize that Highgrove was more than a mere physical place but instead seems to be almost magical in it's beauty. The photos are breathtaking for anyone who loves natural beauty. Prince Charles's effort at organic farming is nothing short of inspirational for all who respect our beautiful planet. And the house itself...... is a dream to behold.......

Prince Charles is all about high quality, in everything he does. In time he will be followed by others!

By describing TNC actions involving large tracts of land, the author illustrates the industry -- NGO cooperation that is required if we wish to take land protection beyond the token tracts that are are the norm for actions using only conservation funding.

This is a book for people who are ready to get very creative! Prepare to learn how to braid industry, energy, and conservation into a plan for America's future. Bill GInn begins the converstation with a great and very practical story about his own inability to grow food on his own farm in Maine because his soil was too acidic. Lookiing for solutions led him to his discovery that the " cheap miracle" he needed was in the waste product the paper mill in his own backyard was spending millions of dollars trucking out of the state. From this beginning, he saw a new life for waste materials, and an industry growing from it. Realizing he could do as much as an " eco-business man" than he could as the head of Maine's prestiges Audubon Society, he launched on an odessy which will inspire and ignite the interest of others looking for a new way to move ahead in our quest for a future for America's Conservation Movement.
Hooray for Mr. Ginn's documentation and careful focus. I look forward to his future and his next book!

William J. Ginn's Investing In Nature: Case Studies Of Land Conservation In Collaboration With Business is a valuable discussion linking business interests to environmental concerns to show how conservation investment banking can work. Ginn's background in both business and land conservation issues at The Nature Conservancy allows him to reveal collaborative efforts which work for both in this inspirational guide of real-life achievements.