Comments on: Estate Planning Basics

By: Tracy Poff

Tracy Poff — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:49:19 +0000

This is the best book out there on Estate Planning Basics. Armed with this book and Quicken Personal Lawyer I was able to do our living trust, wills, life insurance and other estate planning documents and save the legal bills. Even if you end up using a lawyer, you should get this book first to get informed.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: R. D. Norton

R. D. Norton — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:09:40 +0000

This was not the first estate planning book I bought, but it was the best. Without dumbing the issues down, the author carves out manageable modules to make each chapter as clear and understandable as possible. The book features anecdotal paragraph case studies based on real-life examples to flesh out the major points. In contrast to more encylopedic approaches, and as part of the NOLO series, this book is for non-lawyers. It makes clear that estate planning is about how to avoid probate and how to arrange for the conveyance of your assets to your heirs. That is, estate planning not about tax sheltering per se. Obvious, perhaps, to a lawyer, but not to most people. Another strong point is the clear and cogent explanation of trusts. A trust is a written agreement that defines the relationship among the grantor, the trustee, and beneficiaries. Here as well, the book delivers big-time by rendering legal abstractions accessible to the general reader. What a great service!
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Clark Kent

Clark Kent — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:15:24 +0000

My wife and I are starting our estate planning because we have minor children. We also have a stepfamily dynamic which made things a little more complicated. After reading this book, we have a much better understanding of how to accomplish our goals, and I’ll probably check out Nolo to find out how to do it ourselves. This was by no means a comprehensive “how to” book but certainly let us know what options are out there simply by providing the basics.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: R. Culver

R. Culver — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:25:37 +0000

This book is very easy to read and understand. I am an estate planner and it gave me new ideas to help my clients.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Chris Carter

Chris Carter — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:57:42 +0000

This book is a very good introduction to intelligent estate planning. It served the exact purpose that prompted me to buy it…reading it gave me a good working knowledge of the estate planning process, some red flags, some suggested courses of action, and some tax considerations. Having 2 parents over 80, I feel I can now discuss estate planning with them and a professional planner……and understand what he/she is saying.
Rating: 4 / 5