Reviews (2)

Outstanding and comprehensive coverage of estate planning.
The book is so clearly written, with explanations followed by simple examples.It covers every aspect I could think of, with occasional advice that you could do this yourself, or sometimes that you really need a lawyer.If you have a substantial estate you will probably want to have an expert do the work.But you should read this book so you know what the expert is doing (or you could pay the expert $200-300 an hour to educate you on basics).Simply the best book Ihave read all year.

Plan Your Estate 8th Edition
Excellent resource for estate planning. Readable (plain English) , concise and to the point. Covers many areas of estate planning that most other estate planning books fail to mention ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate Planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Personal Finance - General    6. Personal Finance - Taxation    7. Popular works    8. Practical Guides    9. United States   

Editorial Review

Most of us know that upon our demise, a succession of fees and taxes will eat into our estates--no matter their size--if we don't plan now to protect them. Unfortunately, many of us still postpone this process because we hesitate to summon the outside legal assistance that's traditionally been required. The folks at Nolo Press have made it their mission to provide us with the means to complete a relatively uncomplicated official arrangement like this without lawyers, however, and their third edition of Read more

Reviews (7)

Attorney Approved
I am an attorney (shyreslaw.com) and I highly recommend this book for those who could use a simple trust and want to avoid probate.Even if you decide to hire an attorney, this book is invaluable because it offers great insight into trusts and avoiding the probate system.
Recommend highly...

Great buy!
This book was a god-send! I was skeptical at first because I have no legal backround and I thought that making my own living trust would be complicated at best, impossible at worst. But following a recommendation of a friend I decided to give do-it-yourself law a shot. Boy am I happy I did! I saved a fortune in legal fees and was able to get the job done just as well as if I'd had a lawyer coaching me every step of the way.Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate Planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Living Trusts    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Popular works    9. United States   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Estate Planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Forms    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Living Trusts    8. Personal Finance - General    9. Popular works    10. Practical Guides    11. United States    12. Wills   

Reviews (43)

Getting Notary Signature
My husband & I bought this product after reading the reviews on Amazon, so we thought it would be OK for residents of New York state. However, before you buy it, you should check with the laws of the state you live in, because in New York state, it is now our understanding that a Notary cannot sign & witness a Will. We completed the information on the Will. We had to cut & paste a part of it, because it left out information on my husband's Will. My Will printed all OK, but his had empty spaces no matter how many times we tried to print it. After the final paste, we went to find a Notary. We went to banks, and to the town hall, and everywhere we were told none of the Notaries would sign for a Will. One Notary told us she'd lose her license if she did. Finally we checked on line at New York laws, and based on the information there, we now have an appointment with a lawyer to make our Wills. So for us, we couldn't find any Notary to notarize our Wills.
pathetic
during startup, it asks if you have audio. as i don't like talking apps, i click "no" - no audio. it starts blabbing. kill the audio on the computer.
Will & Trust Software Poor
There is much better will and trust software on the market.This software doesn't allow you to edit or make any changes in the document.It is not a word processor either.You cannot talor the document to you needs.Recommend you get another product or same your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Estate planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Personal Finance    5. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    6. Personal Finance - Money Management    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Software    9. Software - Business - CDROM / Universal    10. Trusts and trustees    11. United States    12. Wills    13. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Money Management   

Reviews (6)

Review of Executor's Guide
I discovered this book in the our city library, and decided to purchase it as I felt that it would be very useful.It covered most of the areas of information an Executor or Trustee would want to know.My neighbor also read the book and some of the subject areas made her decide to go back to an attorney with more questions concerning her current Trust.
Comprehensive, if a little redundant
I would recommend The Executor's Guide not only to people who have been (or expect to be) named executors, but to anyone preparing a will or living trust.One of the most valuable chapters, in fact, is designed to help a future executor, by listing information he or shw would need to settle your estate -- bank accounts, location of vital records, etc.For those who are about to go through probate or distribute property held in trust, the book literally gives step-by-step instructions, all with a minimum of legalese and jargon.My only criticism is that some ideas -- even whole paragraphs -- are repeated in different chapters.But if you don't intend to read the book cover to cover, that wouldn't be a problem (and it might not bother you even if you do).

Provides A Good Starting Point, But Could Do More
This book does a fine job of providing a basic overview of all steps of the probate process and for settling a trust.It is well organized, easy to read, and provides good sources of additional information.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Charity laws and legislation    3. Estate Planning    4. Estates & Trusts    5. Executors and administrators    6. Hawaii    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Personal Finance    9. Personal Finance - General    10. Trusts and trustees    11. United States   

Reviews (2)

Great Book By A Great Teacher
Gerry Beyer was my "Wills and Trusts" professor in law school.He was my favorite teacher, and the favorite of many of my fellow law students, for several reasons:first of all, he had an excellent command of the law.There wasn't an aspect of it he didn't know.Secondly, he taught in a clear and concise manner.Many of my law professors were "hide-the-ball" types:their clumsy use of the Socratic method left students lost and confused.When Professor Beyer lectured, you knew exactly what point he was trying to make.You didn't have to guess at it.Finally, he was a warm, friendly, humorous guy - very approachable and not at all intimidating, a rare trait in a lawyer.This book is everything Professor Beyer is: knowledgeable, approachable, and clear.And as a rookie attorney in the field of wills, trusts, and estate planning, this is the book I turn to first and foremost as a reference.That said, I believe this book is most appropriate for law students, paralegals, practicing attorneys, and others who need a serious grasp of wills, trusts, and estate planning law.Those who want a simple, cursory introduction may find themselves overwhelmed by all the legal jargon - as was mentioned by a previous reviewer.

explanatory but too much jargon
it's a good book but youshould keep in hand a law dictionary. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Estate planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Outlines, syllabi, etc    7. Trusts and trustees    8. United States    9. Wills   

Reviews (1)

A Must-Have for Wills & Trusts Students
I usually don't use hornbooks, but I was stumped with all the Wills and Trusts material.I initially got the Examples & Explanations book, which was a HORRIBLE MISTAKE.It lacks even the most basic concepts.I then went for Emanuel's, which was keyed to our textbook, and it was a dream come true, especially the mini briefs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estates & Trusts    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Reference    5. Wills   

Reviews (16)

A popular estate planning alternative in easy to understand book
As principal of a financial planning and wealth management firm, an important part of my service is to help clients coordinate their estate plan with other aspects of their financial picture, such as investments, retirement planning, insurance and tax issues.
The BEST BOOK on this subject - Period!
Henry Abts is the foremost authority on the workings of a Living Trust in the nation.After researching more I learned that Henry was basically the pioneer of hte living trust industry and has collected the best legal minds to help him in his handling of this important subject.
The BEST
This book gives all the answers in clear, easy to understand language.I have spent a lot of time researching the subject and this is the only source I feel I can trust (get the pun?) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Estate Planning    4. Estates & Trusts    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Living trusts    7. Personal Finance - General    8. United States    9. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    10. Law for the lay person    11. Personal finance   

Reviews (8)

You would be a dummie to buy this book.
Open this book and you will see that it is formatted and reads like every other textbook you have read since college.The writing makes no attempt to reduce the complexities of the subject.It simply reiterates all the language you never understood in the first place.As the author of "Everything A Baby Boomer Should Know -- An Insider's Guide to Estate Planning," I suggest you compare my book which honestly and easily explains the tools of the probate system, to this book which is impossible to understand if you have no background on the subject.

Its okay but I wanted more-specific information
This book gives you general information about Estate Planning but It left me wanting more. I was surprise that it didnt mention anything about AB trust. I wish it would have given the upside and donwnside to each options of wills or trust.
They weren't kidding when they said "for dummies"
I didn't find this book helpful at all.It just barely skims the surface, and usually concludes with "make sure you talk to your accountant/attorney/estate planner."If I intended to talk to all those folks, I wouldn't waste my time reading this book in the first place.Most of what this book covers could be learned by snooping around the web - and in many cases you can learn more that way.It defines the terminology, but even that is often inadequate. I suggest you check this book out from the local library, and then if you find it to be a useful resource go ahead and buy it.I wish I had done that - I don't feel this book has enough information to really qualify as a reference book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Estate Planning    5. Estates & Trusts    6. Law    7. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    8. Popular works    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    11. Law for the lay person    12. Personal finance    13. Property & real estate   

Reviews (5)

An Excellent Primer on Trusts

Great reference book for new practitioners!
I have only purchased this book tonight, yet not on Amazon.com.I actually went to Borders and paid full price.Reason being, I could not wait to get my hands on a reference book to help me conceptualize projects and cases that I presently deal with at work as a new estate and tax planning attorney.I hear about ABC trusts, GST trusts, Living Trusts, just to name a few, every day.Yet I don't have the slightest idea about the particular mechanics of many of these valuable estate planning and tax saving tools.
Written in Legaleeze...got a better book for you
Read "Beyond the Grave, The Right Way and the Wrong Way of Leaving Money to Your Children" instead of this book or before you read this book.I bought both and gave up on this book after a couple chapters.Itwas a struggle to get through.Very dry, written like a tech manual, areal sleeper.Go read the reviews on Amazon for Condon's book beforedeciding which one to order.Trust me, you want the other book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Estate Planning    5. Estates & Trusts    6. Law    7. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    8. Popular works    9. Trusts and trustees    10. United States    11. Business & Economics / General    12. Equity & trusts    13. Finance    14. Personal finance    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Estates & Trusts    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Probate law and practice    5. Trusts and trustees    6. United States    7. Wills    8. Business & Economics / General    9. Equity & trusts    10. USA    11. Wills & probate   

Reviews (6)

Just What the Doctor Ordered
This is an excellent book.It answered all of my questions about handling my estate, and it answered many questions that never occurred to me.The writing is straightforward and easily understood.The title is THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION GUIDE TO WILLS AND TRUSTS, but it covers a good deal more:steps to help your family now; estate plans; avoiding or reducing estate taxes; transferring property without a will; securing long-term care help; and many other topics relating to managing your estate and passing it on to your heirs.This is a very useful book.

The American Bar Association wants you confused.
Don't be a sucker. The ABA is not going to help you understand the probate or non-probate system.I have been a lawyer for over twenrty years, and I can't understand what they are trying to say.They want you to give up rather than understand the tools of estate planning.I am the author of "Everything A Baby Boomer Should Know -- An Insider's Guide To Estate Planning."Compare it to the contents of this ABA book.The difference is that the ABA book is nothing more than another textbook that speaks over your head.Read my book and truly understand how the system works for you.I promise.

Good Guide to Estate Planning
Thorough and fairly easy to understand.It does a particularly clear discussion of trusts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Estate planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. General    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Popular works    6. Practical Guides    7. Reference    8. Tax planning    9. United States    10. Wills    11. Reference / General   

Reviews (1)

Not sure if order has been cancelled yet
Have been waiting now over 5 weeks for this book to arrive.Class will be over in 9 weeks.Could not afford to wait any longer.Bought at local bookstore.Still have no idea whether book will be arriving in mail sometime this year, or whether order has been cancelled.Web-site will not let me cancel order. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Estates & Trusts    5. General    6. Law    7. Legal Profession    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Legal assistants    10. Probate law and practice    11. Trusts and trustees    12. United States    13. Wills    14. Business & Economics / General    15. Education    16. Private, property, family law    17. USA   

Reviews (3)

Updates with latest laws mean always up-to-date legal documents.
Great software.Simple to use.The legal team at Quicken/NOLO appear to constantly be surveying the legal findings in the courts and automaticly push the implications into the software as updates.The best part is that as the laws change, the software alerts you when you need to reprint and resign your legal documents so that they comply with the latest laws.It is the perfect balance of accurate legal advice at a very fair price.

Incredible Guide for Peace of Mind
This book & CD set are all you need to do proper, professional looking Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care & Finance, and related documents.Peace of mind at a fraction of the price for an attorney's clerk to do exactly the same things you can do with WillMaker Plus.

Book and software
This "book" is basically a printed user's guide to the Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 software, which is included on the accompanying CD-ROM.That is, you get the software itself and a thick printed guide, not a bad deal at all.The guide is actually more than just a manual; instead it gives you a lot of background information on property rights, wills, living wills, living trusts, estate planning, etc.I think this is a better bundle than the software itself which doesn't even come with a printed manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Business & Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Estate Planning    5. Estates & Trusts    6. Forms    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - General    9. Personal Finance - Taxation    10. Popular works    11. United States    12. Willmaker    13. Wills   

Reviews (6)

Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To by Melanie Cullen
My mother died suddenly and left her estate in a total mess. I was left shocked, grief-stricken and alone in struggling to make sense of what needed to be done. I wouldn't wish that ordeal on anyone let alone on those I love. This workbook and companion organizer is the perfect solution. Nothing will be left to guesswork if I am incapacitated or dead. It is thorough yet simply organized and written from a compassionate perspective. It is a gift of love to provide this kind of direction to those who must make decisions on your behalf.

Just What I Needed
I've recently retired and am looking forward to years of "re-engaging" with activities I haven't had time to focus on during all those years of full-time work and rearing children. Get it Together is exactly what I needed to provide essential background information and help me organize all the documentation I want my family to have. Now I can travel and do the things I've been looking forward to without worrying about whether my children will be able to figure out what I would have wanted them to know in case something should happen to me.
Caring and Compassionate
Melanie Cullen has approached a very difficult topic with insight and compassion. Starting with the Letter to Loved Ones, Health Care Directives, Funeral and Memorial Services, through various chapters on the disposition of assets - including Pets and Livestock - she offers helpful guidance in a straightforward, friendly manner. Whether you already have everything together or haven't a clue where to start, "Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To" is an excellent guide that will make it easier for your loved ones to help in the event that you are incapacitated, or to manage your estate when you are gone.The forms in the bookand on the CD can be easily organized and updated in the companion Planner.A must read for everyone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Estate Planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Personal Finance    6. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Popular works    9. Practical Guides    10. United States   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Charitable uses, trusts, and f    5. Charitable uses, trusts, and foundations    6. Estate Planning    7. Estates & Trusts    8. Law    9. Miscellanea    10. Non-Profit Organizations Management    11. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    12. Small Business - Legal Guides    13. Taxation    14. United States    15. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    16. Non-profitmaking organizations    17. Private, property, family law    18. USA   

Reviews (7)

Simple and straightforward - includes CD with forms!
This book (6th edition) has taken a BIG weight off of my mind regarding writing a will.My husband and I currently don't have a will (and apparently have lots of company - reportedly 60% of Americans don't have wills), but I am in the process of changing that with the reassuring help of this book.
Will writing is easy.
I bought this book mostly because I wanted my daughter in the right hands if something were to happen to both my husband and I.Peace of mind knowing that she will indeed end up with the people we select is worth a million and we didn't to have to spend much money to set this up.This book is great to have your wishes put down so everything is distributed how you want it.Much more convenient then going to a lawyer and saves you a lot of money.

mking a will made easy
This subject is presented in a logical and easy to follow way. I appreaciated that all bases were covered. I would recommend Nolo`s Simple Will Book as a good investment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Estate Planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. Forms    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Popular works    8. Reference    9. United States    10. Wills   

Subjects:  1. Estate Planning    2. Estates & Trusts    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Trusts and trustees    6. United States    7. Wills    8. Equity & trusts    9. Law / General    10. Personal property law    11. USA   

Editorial Review

Planning your estate is one of the most complicated endeavors you'll ever undertake, yet its results are also the most far-reaching; after all, it will continue to affect those you care about long after you no longer can. So it's worth understanding all the options and ramifications, being personally involved, and doing it right. This Nolo Press guide to estate planning is an excellent source of information on the many various details and considerations that you need to take into account--such as children and probate, estate and gift taxes, second marriages, and a wide variety of trust options (charitable, generation-skipping, spendthrift, living, and educational, for starters). It delves into the factors that affect married people versus single, the laws regarding children, types of beneficiaries and wills, plus joint tenancy, life insurance, retirement benefits, taxes, and organ donation. Showing a number of sample estate plans, explaining what hiring a lawyer can do for you (and how to choose a good one), how to do your own research, and including a glossary of estate-planning terms, Clifford and Jordan give you the tools to decide for yourself how you want your estate disposed of--and to make sure that's what your legal documents reflect.Read more

Reviews (11)

Excellent resource
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.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Techniques
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.

A "must-have", "do-it-yourself" legal resource
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.
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Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Estate Planning    3. Estates & Trusts    4. General    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Popular works    8. Practical Guides    9. United States   

Reviews (1)

Covers the new law comprehensively and accessibly
To begin with, bankruptcy law changed completely as of October 17, 2005 for really the first time since 1978. Therefore, all books published before that date are pretty much worthless since they are giving you outdated advice on the old law. Of the ones that are in print covering the new law that I have looked through, this one seems to be the best combination of accessible and complete. It does a good job of answering common questions that a person would ask about bankruptcy in the new environment, as well as going into painstaking detail about all of the changes to the law, including the new means test. Included are the steps you need to take to declare bankruptcy, the order in which you need to take them, and the forms you need to fill out. The book also talks about impacts to your life you might not have thought of, such as how declaring bankruptcy might impact your ability to get certain types of jobs or even auto insurance of all things! The reason I have read so much about this is not that I have declared or am planning to declare bankruptcy. Just call me an interested citizen that followed the debate over the new law very carefully and therefore I know a little more than the average citizen about what is in the new law. That is how I know that this book covers and emphasizes the changes so well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bankruptcy    2. Bankruptcy & Insolvency    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Consumer Finance    5. Estate Planning    6. Law    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Popular works    9. Tax Law    10. Taxation    11. United States