Estate-planning

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.

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 Maple's The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wills and Estates does this masterfully. And, to my relief, in plain English. Impressive for an attorney that's taught and practiced for the over 25 years!

In very easy-to-read language, Maple thoroughly lays out the whole terrain of estate planning'from having a will to ways to save on current taxes and issues to consider in caring for aging parents. Going beyond mere explanation, he's 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 Family'and Just a Little Beyond
Part 4: Taxes You Must Pay, and Those Maybe You Don't
Part 5: Retirement, Elder Issues, and the Broad Planning Picture

The structure of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wills and Estates makes it a great book for busy professionals. It's very easy to read in short chunks of time. And it's not just for the beginner. Although it's 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 'How Charitable Donations Can Save You Money.' I'm trying to figure out how I could make this chapter required reading for prospective donors.

More than any planned giving seminar I've attended, and for a lot less money, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wills and Estates has helped me see estate planning from the donor's perspective. I highly recommend this book.

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.

Somewhat outdated in its references to the applicable exclusion amount and the capital gains treatment of personal residences, which were changed by the 1997 federal tax reform act. But still the most comprehensive "plain language" guide to estate and inheritance planning. The information it provides may not apply to every will and trust in every state, but it will give laymen plenty of questions to ask their lawyers when they go in to start the estate planning process.

If you ever needed a comprehensive reference that covered just about every concievable possiblity in the outcome of your estate, this is it. This book is quite easy to read and has a format that will give you just about every scenerio you might encounter. As tax laws are always changing, be sure to consult an estate planning attorney on the current laws, but this will give you a good workable understanding of the whole process.

For those serious about protecting their estate, Legacy is an all-inclusive, and indespensible resource. Written in an easy to follow question and answer format, Legacy addresses even the most obscure issues of estate planning in a highly readable and easy to follow format. Literally the only book on estate planning you will ever need.

Book is very comprehensive but it is a long and somewhat boring read. Of course, when you are talking about death and taxes how do you make it interesting? Thank goodness for the use of real live examples to liven up the text. Was hoping for identification of strategies for married couples with different ranges of net worth ($600K to $1.2M range, $1.2M to $5M range, and over $5M). Did not find these strategies easily by reading the book. Book is written in terms the laymen can understand. Since many of us will be executors of estates someday it is useful information. Book does help explain many of the aspects to consider when planning your estate. Good reference on basics of estate planning.

A great introductory book for the layman; it takes complicated subject matter and explains it in terms that the average person can understand. As a trust professional, I have recommended it to many of my customers

The Complete Probate Kit lives up to its name, and as the name indicates ("Kit"), presents the information in a format easy for readers to follow. Information is presented in both text and table format, making it very easy to read and understand. The authors have done an excellent job including information important not only during, but also before, the probate process a period often ignored. Another area that is given good coverage in this book is Intestate Succession, an area that is not easy to find information on outside of very technical, professional publications. A great reference for any Personal Representative.

The book is a worthy investment because it provides a
step-by-step explanation of the probate process and the
requisite forms. Employees in the typical public probate
office are not necessarily required to instruct the public
on the intricacies of filling out these forms. Therefore,
a probate kit is an invaluable tool which depicts sample
executed forms in accordance with accepted format and
content standards.

"Comparing the bandwagon-joining, daytrading-frenzied investors of today to the medieval alchemists who searched for a secret substance rumored to transform base metals into gold, Silicon Valley venture capitalist Jacques Vallee structures a less magical (but presumably more effective) framework for financial success in this brief primer on investment strategy."

The Four Elements of Financial Alchemy is a unique and comprehensive introduction to the field of personal financial planning. Lucid and insightful - it should be required reading for all first-time investors.

Dacey's book is a classic and a must have for those who want to learn about estate planning. As a third year law student interested in estate planning and probate, I would recommend this book for those who want more knowledge about the area and who want to have meaningful questions to ask his or her lawyer.

Norman Dacey was disbared when he discovered what a ... the whole probate system is. His revenge is the contents of this book. It is worth its wieght in gold! Over the past 30 years the Bar Associations have black-balled him and his books. He is an honest and genuine man and this book is his legacy. The bulk of its contents are pre-fabricated meticulously prepared forms that everyone should have BEFORE THEY DIE if they want to be absolutely certain their estates will go to their loved ones tax-free and without attorneys taking most of it.

this book was very good it explained the fundamentals of how to get started in the field of real estate. it went in depth on how the system works and how to make money in real estate. it provided a good look at where real estate is today and where it will be in the future.

The book totally met my expectations. I recommend this book to anyone considering a career change to the property management field. The author did an excellant job explaining what it takes to be a property manager/portfolio manager/supervisor/leasing agent/broker and how much each makes along with job descriptions of each job title.

Dunne & Leopold's "Water In Environmental Planning" is a great tool of reference for the planner of any type. It addresses key issues in the role of water during the planning process and also includes important formulas for solving water problems. If you can get past a boring first chapter, this book is well worth the money and makes a great reference for the urban, rural or environmental planner. 4 stars.

first chapter is dry but the rest of the book is a thorough compilation of techniques, history, design, purpose and review.

This book makes a pursuasive case for creating, at nearly any age (assuming you have a net worth in excess of $2-3 milion), an irrevocable life insurance trust, and using the cash to fund a second to die life insurance policy. The proceeds will be used to pay estate taxes, giving you huge leverage over other alternative investments. All good concepts, proved with numerous and interesting examples. Unfortunately, the book is redundant, starts out a bit "hard sell", and has a defensive tone throughout. Mr. Kaye would be better served by writing in a less collequial way...more "professional" in tone. And, not frustrating his reader who eagerly turns each page to learn new concepts, only to find Mr. Kaye making the same point over and over again. It is almost as though Mr. Kaye doesn't think he will be believed...so he repeats the thesis again and again. It got tiring...

Estate taxes can claim up to 55% of your estate. Barry Kaye's simple yet amazing concepts showed me how to legally discount that amount by more than 90%. When I showed them to my accountant he didn't believe them at first ... but now we're both sold! Thank you Barry Kaye for helping preserve and protect my estate for my children and grandchildren.

This book shows and tells about a totally new approach to estate planning. It also intoduces life insurance as a commodity to be utilized as an additional diversification of assets for any portfolio. In this manner it shows how you can offset and discount your estate taxes while diversifying, optimizing and guaranteeing your assets.

The author introduces many new concepts in short three page chapters with completely understandable charts.

In the back of the book there are valuable tables that are most useful as well as the rates for the lowest priced policies at every age.

Excellent for anyone who never knew but wants to know or any professional looking for easily understandable information on this subject written by the leading practicioner on this subject.

Anyone recommending a universal life policy or options for the average reader is immediately suspect. You can stop right there.

I put together a "listmania" list of alternate financial writers from well known sources such as "The Wall Street Journal" well know and respected in the field. Look at those first, skip this.

My huumble opinion

Jack in Toronto

This is NOT a get rich quick book. It is a book of ideas and principles that people can use to create wealth. Ranging from conservative (compound interest and reducing spending), to reliable (real estate), to new-age (internet income), to more questionable sources (network marketing or MLM), he covers all the bases, and he covers them fairly well. Here is a summary of what I liked and did not like:

Pros: Great job of explaining different opportunities and their potential for income. He teaches the important principles in a way that got me thinking about a different approach to money-making. As a direct result of reading this book, I added 3 small but steadily increasing "streams" of income.

Cons: He does not adequately describe any risks associated with certain investments or opportunities (tax leins, etc). Also, its pretty easy to say "you can make vast amounts of money from infopreneuring and intellectual property", but its very difficult to actually create an idea that people will pay you money for. I basically skimmed over the MLM chapter.

I've read a few of the 1-star reviews here, and I think they missed the point. He is not trying convince people that once they buy the book, bags of money will drop at the doorstep and end all money troubles. He is simply showing several different ways to add streams of income to your life. I think he did a good job.

This is undoubtly Robert Allens best book to date. So much information, so many diverse ways to make money. The naysayers are probably college graduates who would prefer to sit behind a desk for 40 years and say; "Yes master" ENT!For the entrepeneurs and business leaders, this book is a must read. You can start with network marketing, create income and enjoy the same tax benefits that bg busineeses enjoy.You can use Bob Allens Real Estate strategies and still make money in the real estate market. People who say it's over, better read this book. You can also safely invest in the stock market with Index Funds and/or covered calls with the Cooper Method. Or you can enjoy 100% risk reduced returns in the options market.Bob Allen has written a excellent book, probably his best. Don't knock it, try it.I also recommend Wall Street Money Machine for even more covered calls and option strategies and Wealth 101.