Practical Guide to Estate Planning provides an overview of estate planning, offering the widest variety of discussion on planning principles and tools from the simple to the sophisticated. This book is not lacking in detail, witnessed by its well-annotated collection of forms that will appeal to many experienced estate planners. The layout of this book reflects its emphasis on simplicity and clarity. It is divided into four major sections, the first of which provides a general view of the estate planning process.

Practical Guide to Estate Planning provides an overview of estate planning, offering the widest discussion on planning principles and tools from the simple to the sophisticated. This book is not lacking in detail, as witnessed by its well-annotated collection of forms that will appeal to many experienced estate planners. The layout of this book reflects its emphasis on simplicity and clarity. Its scope includes a general overview of the estate planning process. It then addresses the rules involved in estate planning and the various ways in which estates may be structured to achieve desired tax effects. It goes on to discuss gifts, and some of the more specialized areas of estate planning, including generation-skipping transfer tax rules and charitable planning, which encompass the use of private foundations and split-interest trusts. Finally, Practical Guide to Estate Planning contains a set of estate planning forms. Included are a living trust, an irrevocable life insurance trust, an annual exclusion trust, a pour-over will, a will with outright dispositions, a codicil, a living will, a charitable remainder unitrust, a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy, a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT) and a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT). The authors provide alternative drafting options as well as comprehensive annotations that can be used as quick references that explain why and how these devices operate.

Designed to raise people?s awareness of the need to plan for themselves and those they love. Whether they are tackling the subject for the first time or revising an existing plan, this book is an essential guide. Includes tax law changes effective in 2010 and how they apply to readers.

Presents a comprehensive guide on understanding and preparing wills and trusts for parents of young children, describing the process of selecting a guardian, buying life insurance, designating powers of attorney, and choosing beneficiaries.

This book provides an introduction to the basics of estate planning and will make this area of the law more accessible to the nonspecialist.

This is the first comprehensive estate-planning guide for those living with a chronic disease or disability. This book is targeted at those planning for the disbursement of their estates, no matter their size. Estate-planning is crucial for those living with a chronic disease or disability: individuals must express their preferences whether to receive long-term care at home rather than in a nursing home in the event that they become more disabled, and it is more important for one who has a chronic illness to name a power of attorney. Estate Planning for People with a Chronic Condition or Disability covers all of those topics plus: How to write your will How to determine how much life insurance your family needs How to figure out whether you need a living trust Learn about powers of attorney When to work with a lawyer, if you need to The book also includes downloadable sample forms for: Power of Attorney Living Will Designation of Proxy for Financial and Health Decisions

Provides an overview of estate planning, offering discussion on planning principles

The CCH Financial and Estate Planning Guide is the premier guidebook for professionals who structure, tailor and administer financial and estate plans. In the clearest of language, the guide explains all the important planning concepts, and examines the most important techniques used to set and meet the financial goals of clients and their families.

Most Americans donÆt have a will. They avoid estate planning because they donÆt want to think about death or they think itÆs too complicated. But this easy-to-follow guide takes the mystery out of the process. This book shows readers how easy it can be to plan for security and peace of mind. Readers learn how to write a will, create an estate plan, designate executors, choose trusts, reduce tax liabilities, and distribute their assets. Other features include: A glossary of legal terms Advice for protecting families from creditors Guidance for unmarried partners The important role of charitable giving in your estate plan This book provides sound advice for planning retirement and managing assets at any age and income level. It also includes completely new information on: Updated tax, IRA, and Roth details Charitable giving opportunities for reducing taxes and leaving a legacy Instruction for keeping plans up to date as the readers age An estate planning checklist