Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started with Your Will or Trust 7
Chapter 1: Ensuring That Your Last Wishes Are Honored 9
Chapter 2: Making Crucial Decisions 25
Chapter 3: Gathering Pertinent Information 39
Chapter 4: Planning Your Bequests 49
Chapter 5: Providing for Your Children and Dependents 67
Chapter 6: Dipping into Your Pocket: The Tax Man (and Others) 75
Part II: Everything You Need to Know about Wills 93
Chapter 7: Writing and Signing a Will 95
Chapter 8: Navigating the Land Mines 111
Chapter 9: When You Already Have a Will 127
Chapter 10: Estate Administration: What Happens in Probate Court 137
Part III: Trust Me! How Trusts Work 149
Chapter 11: The Anatomy of a Trust 151
Chapter 12: Dead or Alive: Picking Your Trust 163
Chapter 13: When You Already Have a Trust 183
Part IV: Carrying Out the Intent of Your Will and Trust 193
Chapter 14: Planning for Your Incapacity 195
Chapter 15: Those Cushy Retirement Funds 217
Chapter 16: Life Insurance: Making Sure It Doesn’t Backfire 229
Chapter 17: Your Castle: How It’s Owned Makes a Huge Difference 241
Part V: The Part of Tens 257
Chapter 18: Ten Common Will Mistakes 259
Chapter 19: Ten Reasons to Have a Trust 267
Chapter 20: Ten Tax Traps to Avoid When Planning Your Estate 273
Part VI: Appendixes 281
Appendix A: State Signing Requirements 283
Appendix B: State Inheritance Taxes 307
Appendix C: Estate Planning Questionnaire 311
Appendix D: About the CD 333
Index 337