Book Description
Start planning for the future today.
Although a majority of Americans know they need a will, about 70% of them don't have one. In fact, the legalities involved are not very complicated and most people can get it done easily with this book. Estate planning is largely the same. In this revised and updated edition of Complete Idiot's Guide to Wills and Estates, readers will find a complete inventory of everything to be considered in creating wills and estate planning, vital information on trusts, taxes, and eldercare planning, and much more.
• All tax information revised and updated
• Sections on IRAs and Roth IRAs have been revised to reflect changes in the law
• Features online estate and financial planning sites
• Additional coverage of post-mortem estate planning
• Additional material on eldercare planning, such as living and support arrangements
Customer Reviews:
Crystal Clear, Easy to Read.......2006-07-14
My husand and I just wanted to put together a living will and health care directive and at this point just need something fairly simple. This book is easy to understand, yet comprehensive.
Very good book - wish it was my text for class.......2005-10-17
Have not had a chance to read cover to cover yet, but it looks very well written and organized so far, so that any normal person can absorb and understand. Wish this was the required text for my class. No doubt it will probably fill in the gaps that my real text missed, since this book seems more grounded in reality, than textbook theory. It may not help me on the test, thought I'm sure it will; but I'm sure it will help me in real life.
Very understandable over view of a complex subject!.......2001-09-04
As a development officer for a prep school, I was looking for a book that would give me a birds-eye view of issues involved with estate planning. Steve Mapleýs The Complete Idiotýs Guide to Wills and Estates does this masterfully. And, to my relief, in plain English. Impressive for an attorney thatýs taught and practiced for the over 25 years!
In very easy-to-read language, Maple thoroughly lays out the whole terrain of estate planningýfrom having a will to ways to save on current taxes and issues to consider in caring for aging parents. Going beyond mere explanation, heýs packed this book with helpful forms and lists to get the reader started in their own estate planning. I picked up this book to help me with my conversations with donors but I ended up sitting down with an attorney to work on my own plan!
Maple groups his 24 chapters into five sections:
Part 1: Assets, Assets, Assets
Part 2: About Wills, Trusts. . . and Probate
Part 3: All in the Familyýand Just a Little Beyond
Part 4: Taxes You Must Pay, and Those Maybe You Donýt
Part 5: Retirement, Elder Issues, and the Broad Planning Picture
The structure of The Complete Idiotýs Guide to Wills and Estates makes it a great book for busy professionals. Itýs very easy to read in short chunks of time. And itýs not just for the beginner. Although itýs now somewhat dated, Maple gives some pretty technical examinations of taxes and IRS regulations. For readers that way find themselves losing interest during the dryer technical sections there are tips, quotes, and anecdotal information interspersed throughout. As a development professional, I was particularly glad for Chapter 18 ýHow Charitable Donations Can Save You Money.ý Iým trying to figure out how I could make this chapter required reading for prospective donors.
More than any planned giving seminar Iýve attended, and for a lot less money, The Complete Idiotýs Guide to Wills and Estates has helped me see estate planning from the donorýs perspective. I highly recommend this book.
up to snuff.......2000-11-15
I'm a big fan of the idiot's guides since they are always clear and easy to follow. The authors do an excellent job of explaining complex terms and concepts so even an ordinary person can understand the reasons behind drafting a will. After reading this book, you'll see that you'll want to do everything you can so that you do not find yourself "intestate" -- then the state fights over what belongs to whom. Although it's difficult to think about dying, it's even worse to think about having all your money thrown to taxes or tied up in court as relatives fight. Prevent this ugly mess by learning the basics of wills and estates. I should add that this book goes well beyond the basics -- even a millionaire could learn a few good tips from this excellent book.
good to start out with.........2000-04-05
Excellent source of information for anyone who doesn't have a clue where to start. Easy to read and packed with hints. Motivating little scenarios to keep those of us who have been procrastinating in motion. Both my husband (who this was all new to) and myself (with a background in accounting) found it to be useful.
Book Description
A timely update of a bestselling guide to wills and estate planning
This is a revision of the successful Complete Will Kit, Second Edition. The authors have expanded the information regarding the importance of a will and estate planning due to recently increased values of stocks and bonds and the effects of inheritance. Numerous revisions reflect current federal and state requirements and tax codes. One completely revised chapter reflects a more contemporaneous estate tax situation.
Customer Reviews:
So Helpful. A complicated subject - easy to read........1999-08-19
Would recommend that everyone read this book. I never understood estate planning until now. This book has been so helpful. Thanks.
Product Description
What happens to an individual's estate after they are gone is very much within their control. Estate planning is not only for the wealthy; it is for everyone. It is simply the process of deciding where your assets are to be distributed after your death.
For those people who wish to preserve their assets for designated purposes such as family or special charities it becomes necessary to make special advance preparations. Performing these important preparations is commonly referred to as estate planning.
For an individual to help ensure that his assets are protected and final wishes carried out, there are some common actions that need to be taken now. Proper estate planning allows you to plan for yourself and your loved ones without giving up control of your affairs.
Your estate plan should allow for the possibility of your own disability. It should give what you own to whom you want, at a time of your choosing, the way you want. Your estate plan should include fully disclosed, controlled costs for you and for those you love. The last thing you want to worry about is having it drained of value through taxes and legal costs. The right plan can protect the value of your estate and spare your loved ones unnecessary hassles and legal conflicts. This new book will help you glide through the complicated process.
One of the biggest issues you need to consider is estate taxes. For starters, Uncle Sam begins collecting gift taxes at the $1 million level. Married couples with estates over $4 million are subject to estate taxes that soar up to 46 percent and if you wish to leave money to grandchildren, estate taxes can reach as high as 73 percent!
Many books on estate planning indicate you do not need the services of an attorney, but we highly recommend an attorney versed in this area to assist you. You should not go through the process alone. What this book will do though is explain the complicated issues, terminology, and planning strategies of estate planning to the lay person (me and you) so that when you do meet with a qualified attorney, you will be well prepared. You will understand legal terms and be ready to discuss issues and strategies with familiarity, saving time and legal fees and ensuring peace of mind.
Some of the contents of the book are wills, assets, and settlement costs, probate, guardianship and minor children, executors and trustees, life insurance, living trusts, living wills, durable power of attorney, catastrophic illness, potential long-term care needs, marital deductions, types of trusts, federal and state estate exemptions, irrevocable life insurance trusts, gift splitting, survivorship deeds, charitable remainder trusts, 529 plans, health care proxy, power of attorney, reducing or eliminating estate taxes, avoiding tax on life insurance, using insurance to pay estate taxes, gift tax issues, generation skipping transfer tax, and tax deferred accounts.
Estate planning should be a positive experience. It involves reviewing your situation and planning for your future. Although most people also find it unpleasant to think about the possibility of disability or death, advance planning is also a way to show your love and to reduce potential distress later. Get started today.
Customer Reviews:
More than how to leave an inheritance, but how to have something to leave.......2007-10-17
This detailed book does much more than to tell you how to make a will. When it tells you not to put that off, it also gives you project management and time management advice to get it done. It has a whole section on will substitutes, such as joint tenancy and living trusts, that allow your property to be transfered apart from your will, and details what each tool is best suited for and what it's not. For example, setting up a trust can solve many estate planning problems, but not all of them, and this book explains which ones. Probate is a good thing to avoid, but this book explains why probate is sometimes useful. And it covers legal difficulties in easy-to-understand language. What if your estate is not worth as much as you're giving away? What if your daughter dies two days after you do? This book offers solutions to these challenges.
The book asks questions and provides answers that you might not have thought about. For example, divorce complicates estate planning. You might not want to think about that, but this book provides information on how to prepare for divorce and the possibility of divorce. And you might not think you have much of an estate, because you owe so much money. But those negative figures are part of estate planning too. And the book doesn't neglect the importance of regularly revisiting your good planning, to make sure it stays up to date. The book, by the way, is up to date. It talks about how US estate taxes are changing in 2009 and 2011. And it doesn't leave out the less savory aspects of estate planning. Yes, it mentions feeding tubes and funeral arrangements.
Not that the book is perfect. I was surprised to find whole life and universal life insurance listed as legitimate, rather than mediocre, investment options. And I would have liked more specific wording examples, including a sample will, though that may not have been appropriate since the author is not an attorney. In fact, I'm still not sure what the author's credentials are - apparently she has written extensively for many years on the subject, but as a ghostwriter, which means she can't tell us what she wrote. Case studies are mostly written by professionals and not by ordinary people, and show it by their formality. If you want a book about estate planning by yourself, this isn't it. It doesn't tell you how to get by without an attorney, or even an insurance agent, but it helps you work with those professionals more effectively.
Great for Beginners to Estate Planning.......2007-09-24
Many people know they should have an estate plan, but don't know how to go about forming one. They may even not understand what an estate plan really does. Some of the more common questions include:
* What exactly is an "estate?"
* Who would I talk to about my estate?
* How can I make sure my wishes are followed in the event of my death?
This handy book is exactly what it claims to be--a straightforward and step-by-step guide to making the arrangements we all need but no one likes to think about.
The author has a friendly and informative style that eases the reader into the sometimes complex world of estate planning. The first chapter is an introduction to the terms and people that those looking to plan their estate will need to be familiar with. Accountants, attorneys, financial planners, and insurance agents are all introduced to the reader, along with why they play a part. Estate planning needs a goal, research, and a plan, says Baker, and the book clearly lays out how to decide on each. Readers are encouraged to decide first what they expect their estate to do, and what their wishes are.
Once the goals are set, it's time to look at actual estate worth. The author explains what goes into an estate, how to account for debts like loans and credit cards, and even how to plan for expenses like settlement costs and attorney fees. Baker then moves on to the applicable laws governing estates, and how to navigate the legal red tape that can tie up the uninformed.
While the book begins with a primer on estates, those who may be looking for more advanced information won't be disappointed. There are also chapters on various types of trusts and how to set them up to the reader's advantage; federal tax laws, insurance, and even how to plan for long-term care. Case studies illustrate major points and give the reader a sense of real-world application.
The book is easy to read and understand, and doesn't talk down to the reader. Baker does an excellent job of making complex information available to those without a doctorate in finance. All in all, this book is a great buy for anyone looking to "get their affairs in order."
Book Description
"This title covers everything from the basics of wills and trusts to general estate planning. Tax-saving strategies as it relates to family businesses and protection of individual assets are explained in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Topics such as avoiding probate, providing for children, minimizing gift and estate taxes, protecting your business, dealing with subsequent marriages and understanding the differences between a will and a trust are covered.
This new edition provides more than 50 forms tailored to your particular situation.
It also provides new or expanded information on:
--Federal estate and gift taxation
--Powers of attorney
--Funeral and burial concerns
--Educational planning (529 Plans and Educational IRAs)
--Retirement planning
--Living wills
A complete glossary and blank forms with thorough instructions make this the financial planning reference book for everyone.
"
Average customer rating:
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The Wills, Estate Planning and Trusts Legal Kit: Your Complete Legal Guide to Planning for the Future (Legal Survival Guides)
Douglas Godbe
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Personal Taxes
| Taxes
| Accounting
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Estate Planning
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Estates & Trusts
| Taxation
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Practical Guides
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Wills
| Practical Guides
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Estates & Trusts
| Taxation
| Law
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 157248330X |
Average customer rating:
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Kiplinger's Estate Planning: The Complete Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Maximizing Your Legacy
John Ventura
Manufacturer: Kaplan Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Accounting
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Retirement Planning
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Accounting
| Accounting & Finance
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1427797099 |
Book Description
If I don’t have an estate plan, what will happen when I die? Can I plan my own estate, or should I work with an estate attorney? How can I make sure that my estate isn’t whittled away by state and federal taxes?
In Kiplinger’s Estate Planning, financial expert and attorney John Ventura offers straightforward guidance on all of the tools of estate planning, from wills, trusts, and custodial accounts to insurance, employee befits, and durable power of attorney for finance and health care.
In this easy-to-read guide, learn:
What you can and can’t do with a willHow a living trust worksYour options for transferring assets to your spouse or partnerHow to give your assets away while you are aliveHow to use a durable power of attorney for health care—and what will happen if you become incapacitated without oneControlling your death with a living willHow to leave a personal legacyHow to complete the process on your own or work with an estate attorney
Average customer rating:
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Telecommute!: Go To Work Without Leaving Home
Lisa Shaw
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Workplace
| Organizational Behavior
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Labor & Industrial Relations
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Telecommuting
| Business & Culture
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Labor & Industrial Relations
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Science
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0471118206 |
Book Description
Make the virtual office a reality
How many hours of your day are spent commuting? Do you ever wish you could go to work without having to go through the aggravation of actually getting there? Would you like to devote more time to your family? If so, telecommuting could be for you. Drawing on the stories of real people who are active telecommuters, Lisa Shaw provides potent advice and inspiration on this innovative—and increasingly popular—approach to the workplace. Here's invaluable information on:
- Determining if telecommuting is an option for your career
- Negotiating with your boss
- Setting up your home office
- Balancing your work and home life
- Keeping your career on track—even when you're physically out of sight.
Average customer rating:
- Me v. Everybody - A moron's guide to the law
- LOL ROTFLMAO
- Great comedy and a great relationship test
- Brilliant and truly funny
|
Me v. Everybody: Absurd Contracts for an Absurd World
Dahlia Lithwick , and
Brandt Goldstein
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Lawyers & Criminals
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Parodies
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 076112389X |
Book Description
A contract for a blind date. A restraining order against obnoxious family members on Thanksgiving. OSHA regulations administering the contents of the office fridge. A contract for "Boy" and "Girl" entering into a Long-Term Relationship, including a definition of the term "fat."
Customer Reviews:
Me v. Everybody - A moron's guide to the law.......2005-04-04
The best thing I can say about this book is that it's pages are super absorbent and soft to the touch. Otherwise, it has nothing to recommend it to anyone who doesn't move their lips while they read.
LOL ROTFLMAO.......2003-09-26
This book is laugh out loud funny. These folks have clearly been lawyers - they use the style and multiple synonyms of lawyers perfectly - do lawyers get paid by the word? - but they also are funny in a way that works for everyone.
A contract about whether the peanut butter stays in the fridge, whether the toilet paper rolls from the top or the bottom? Were the listening in my house?
Great comedy and a great relationship test.......2003-08-21
Me v. Everybody is a genius book -- not only did it make me laugh out loud over and over, but it also made me think about the relationships in my life. Could I fulfill these contracts? What kind of implicit understanding is beneath my friendships and other relationships? The best kind of book: Something to laugh about, and something to think about. Get it for your book group, and see if anyone could sign these -- or if they'd have to breach them!
Brilliant and truly funny.......2003-08-12
There are few books that make me laugh aloud...and in public. This book is wise, funny, eloquent, witty, and beautifully designed. It will be the gift all of my friends get this year. Just buy it. I promise you won't be sorry.
Book Description
This is the first book to discuss in detail how rap music is put together musically. Whereas a great deal of popular music scholarship dismisses music analysis as irrelevant or of limited value, the present book argues that it can be crucial to cultural theory. It is unique for bringing together perspectives from music theory, musicology, cultural studies, critical theory, and communications. It is also the first scholarly book to discuss rap music in Holland, and the rap of Cree Natives in Canada, in addition to such mainstream artists as Ice Cube.
Customer Reviews:
Well worth the price.......2005-09-15
While some of this book was a little too academic for a casual reader like myself, the chapters on rap genres and musical techniques were easily worth the price of the book. Krims says things about rap here that I haven't heard anywhere else, including a musical analysis of different types of rap "flows" and an explanation of the "hip-hop sublime" that can arise from heavily layered music built from samples. He also does in-depth analysis of a few rap songs, including songs by Ice Cube and Goodie Mob, which are quite interesting if you have access to the music. There are many books out there about hip-hop history or culture, and this book touches on those subjects as well, but it's great to see the niche of in-depth musical analysis finally filled. It's given me a new way of understanding and vocabulary for listening to hip hop.
Conquering a Difficult Subject.......2003-01-25
It is said that hip hop scholarship to this point has either come from too academic or too informal a source. This book is accredited by street and university alike. Krims successfully analyses critical aspects of hip-hop, namely songwriting and lyrical style. This is truly great piece of work.
READ THIS REVIEW AND BUY THE BOOK, ITS BOSS!.......2001-12-16
THIS BOOK IS GREAT FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE RAP,I MOSTLY GET MY INSPIRATION FROM MUSIC ,BUT READING THIS BOOK ON RAP MUSIC INSPIRED ME. I AM A BIG FAN OF THIS BOOK, YOU SHOULD BUY IT.
ITS REALLY INTRESSTING IV WAITED AGES TO FIND A DECENT BOOK ON RAP MUSIC,I ALSO LOVE POETRY, NOT THE KIND YOU DO AT SCHOOL,THATS TO BORING, BUT POETRY BY RAP ARTISTS, LIKE TUPAC, R.I.P, IM HIS BIGGEST FAN, THIS BOOK IS GREAT I RATE IT 5 OUT OF 5!!!SO U WANNA KNOW RAP U GOT RAP!
Average customer rating:
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Hope Springs Eternal: An Introduction to the Work of James Boyd White
Jeanne Gaakeer
Manufacturer: Amsterdam University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
General
| Criticism & Theory
| History & Criticism
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Philosophy
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Law
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 9053563148 |
Book Description
This book provides a survey of the Law and Literature movement responsible for kindling new interest in this field, and explains the various theoretical perspectives that contributed to its development. Searching discussion is also devoted to contemporary debates, both within Law and Literature itself and with other interdisciplinary fields such as Law and Economics. The author elucidates these issues by analyzing in detail the work of the American jurist and classicist James Boyd White, founder of Law and Literature.
White was convinced that the common ground between law and literature should form the basis of legal thought in our present-day pluralistic societies. His view of law as the art of creating bonds between members of a society has far-reaching implications for both theory and practice.
Book Description
The Broadcast Century and Beyond, 4th Edition, is a popular history of the most influential and innovative industry of the previous and current century. The story of broadcasting is told in a direct and informal style, blending personal insight and authoritative scholarship to fully capture the many facets of this dynamic industry. The book vividly depicts the events, people, programs, and companies that made television and radio dominant forms of communication.
The ability of radio and television to educate, enlighten, and stimulate the contemporary mind is perhaps the most important of all modern technological developments. This text places the communication revolution in a comprehensive chronological context, allowing readers to fully grasp the media's profound impact on the political, social, and economic spheres.
*Single-source of broadcast history and past and present influences broadcast communications
*Brand new interior design and timeline graphic
*New updates on FCC decisions, DVD recorders, Internet, and industry globalization
Customer Reviews:
Radio to technology TV.......2003-07-12
I got this book for a Media Arts college class. It starts at the beginning of radio all the way up to turn of the century TV technology. If you are looking for a book that gives a descriptive history of mostly TV and radio, this is quite a good book.
One of the best things about this book is the chronological organization. Each decade is a separate chapter, each year is a seperate section. It also includes a timeline along the top of each page covering the details of history at that time for a greater understanding of socially induced technological changes.
history at ease.......2002-10-29
This book about American broadcasting history is wonderfully accessible and enjoyable to read. Very comprehensive, too.
Average customer rating:
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The Broadcast Century: A Biography of American Broadcasting
Robert L. Hilliard , and
Michael C. Keith
Manufacturer: Butterworth-Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General Broadcasting
| Radio
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Media Studies
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Broadcasting
| Communication
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Communication
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Social History
| Historical Study
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0240802624 |
Book Description
* New edition of an important text- now in paperback * 'Retroboxes'- personal retrospectives by dozens of renowned people in the history of broadcasting * Timeline running across every page compares, at a glance, broadcasting and broader historical events * Lavishly illustrated, highly readable. Now in paperback, The Broadcast Century, Second Edition is a popular history of the most influential and innovative industry of this century. The story of broadcasting is told in a direct and informal style, blending personal insight and authoritative scholarship to fully capture the many facets of this dynamic industry. The book vividly depicts the events, people, programs, and companies that made television and radio dominant forms of communication.
Books:
- The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction
- The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair: With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos (Black & Decker)
- The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower
- The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice
- The Feelings Book: The Care & Keeping of Your Emotions (American Girl)
- The Laramie Project
- The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour
- The Lost Son: A Life in Pursuit of Justice
- The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition (Centennial Edition)
- The Night We Met
Books Index
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Estate Planning for Dummies
The American Bar Association Guide to Wills and Estates, Second Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Wills, Estates, Trusts, and Taxes (American Bar Association Guide to Wills & Estates)
The Complete Book of Trusts, 3rd Edition
Beyond the Grave revised edition: The Right Way and the Wrong Way of Leaving Money To Your Children (and Others)
Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust (2nd Edition)
