Estate-planning

Book reviews for "Estate-planning" sorted by average review score:

The Rich Die Richer and You Can Too

Published in Paperback by John Wiley & Sons (March, 1996)

Author: William D. Zabel

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Useful overview of what's possible in estate planning

This is not a how-to, though. Various case studies to show the finer points / boundaries / gray regions.

Solutions Handbook: For Personal Financial Planning Business Planning Employee Benefits Estate Planning

Published in Paperback by Dearborn Trade Publishing (March, 1996)

Authors: Genevieve Ferraro, Sheryl Lilke, Dearborn-R, R Newkirk, Dearborn Financial Institute, Dearborn, and R&R Newkirk

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User review

I have reviewed this book before. It had a copyright of 1995. I find the subject matter very useful especially in my professional. I will suggest that Dearborn should keep this handbook up to date so it can encompass new laws and guidelines.

Sooner Than You Think: Mapping a Course for a Comfortable Retirement

Published in Hardcover by Irwin Professional Pub (July, 1993)

Author: Gordon K. Williamson

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Don't depend on Social Security for retirment

It is probably a good bet that most Americans do not have the slightest idea what they will need when they retire. This book actually show how easy it is to get started on retirement planning. Mr. Williamson gives interesting facts on long term investing and backs them up with easy to read charts and graphs. You will be amazed how fast you can accumulate a nice sum of money if you commit to a plan, particularly, taking full advantage of that 8th wonder of the world...compounding interest! I feel this is one of those books that should be read by all baby-boomers and passed on to their kids.

Tools and Techniques of Employee Benefits, Seventh Edition

Published in Paperback by Prentice Hall (20 November, 2002)

Author: Leimberg

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Very thorough treatment of topic

This book has a very thorough treatment of the topics covered. But, it is very dense reading. The index is very shallow and needs to be improved in future editions.

Your Living Trust & Estate Plan: How to Maximize Your Family's Assets and Protect Your Loved Ones

Published in Paperback by Allworth Press (July, 1999)

Authors: Harvey J. Platt and Don Kracke

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GREAT BOOK

This book gives a easy to understand look into estate planning and Living Trusts. The authors point out great information about both

60 - MINUTE ESTATE PLANNER 2 EDITION

Published in Paperback by Prentice Hall Press (04 January, 1999)

Author: Kraemer

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The revised 60 Minute Estate Planner, by nationally recognized author and speaker Sandy F. Kraemer is a complete guide to protecting the financial future of your heirs. Updated to include tax-law changes approved by Congress for the years 1998 through 2006, this easily followed handbook is divided into three sections. The first explains why such a plan is needed, lays out the information that must be gathered to adequately prepare one, and discusses how professional assistance might be utilized in its creation. The second examines all of the components--such as living trusts, IRAs, life insurance, and annuities--that are involved. And the third offers suggestions for developing a plan that meets your specific values and goals. "You can't take your money, possessions, land, love, or even your body with you when you die," Kraemer writes. "Have you thought about what you are going to do with them? Remember, what is given and received, as well as how and when it is done, makes and breaks children, parents, relatives, and friends. Planning is an opportunity to show you care." With its incisive advice, clear language, functional checklists, and useful graphics, this manual actually can help you get there from here. --Howard Rothman

Average review score:

Lot's of fluff in this book

This was the least helpful of the estate planning books I've recently read. It did have a lot of helpful information but the book is full of fluff, lot's of it. If you cut out the fluff there might be 50 pages worth of useful and helpful data. There are much better books on the topic of estate planning available. My opinion is that if you don't already have this book in your estate planning library, then you don't need it. Your money will be better spent elsewhere.

Leaving Your Final Legacy

Kraemer's Estate Planner can motivate you to begin what you have been putting off for a long time by helping you understand your way through the maze of complex legal and tax issues, leading you step-by-step through your decision-making process to solve your estate planning challenges.

Begin with the 9-page Inheritance Information Form on page 186--completing it will be a real eye-opener for you and a God-send for those destined to sort through your estate after you are gone.

The book is also logically divided with Part One taking you through preparatory personal and tax considerations, clearly outlining actions with guidelines to successful estate planning with solid information to demystify tax planning; Part Two discussing possible estate plan options for you to consider to create trusts and avoid probate; and Part three exploring personal values decisions that move beyond money and property into elder care, living wills, and funeral instructions.

Very Good and Readable!

The 60 Minute Estate Planner is very good and readable. The reader can expect to find good, comprehensive and detailed discussion of relevant estate planning subjects. In addition, the reader will find some concrete examples that might prove very fruitful.

Although I readily rate The 60 Minute Estate Planner 5 stars, I strongly believe that Matin Shankman's "The Complete Book of Trusts," available for purchase right here at amazon.com, is by far superior in terms of its breadth and depth of coverage of estate planning topics as well as trust strategies.

To the extent possible, I would recommend that the reader consider purchasing both The 60 Minute Estate Planner and The Complete Book of Trusts.

Real Estate Loopholes: Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investing

Published in Paperback by Warner Books (01 April, 2003)

Author: Diane C.P.A./Sutton Kennedy

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Incomplete and confusing

This book was a quick read, but I found that I had more questions after reading the book than I did when I started. One of the primary thrusts of the book is to get asset protection through the use of corporate or limited partnership entities. Some of the techniques discussed in the book cannot be structured through a corporate entity without triggering adverse tax consequences. So what is a person to do? This book makes the most sense if you are -- or aspire to become -- a landlord. For more complicated situations -- or for varied approaches to working with real estate (such as flipping) -- I'm not sure what to do. I guess the bottom line is that you must get good advice from competent advisors who know your business. It's not a bad place to start, but the authors jump around alot, as not all "loopholes" apply to the traditional corporate structures that the authors push.

A MUST READ FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTORS !!!

Diane and Garrett have done it again! This book is a must read for all real estate investors.

This book covers a wide array of legal tax strategies (content) that real estate investors should be aware of. It is written in easy to understand terms and gives several excellent illustrations of real life examples. (Many of the strategies discussed in the book have personally saved me thousands of dollars!)

Read this book then make sure your CPA reads it too!

Chris Szabo, President

...

Worth it's weight in GOLD for the new real estate investor !

I read this book before I read the Amazon reviews. I was shocked at some of the negative comments. My recommendation is to read all of the how-to real estate books you want. When you finally decide you're going to invest, buy this book. It will save you money and headaches. If nothing else it will give you a basic understanding of ownership options and tax benefits (loopholes) that you can then discuss with a lawyer and accountant. Know what you're getting in to before you make your first offer to buy. It is the only real estate book that I am 100% satisfied with. Good luck!

Family Trust : How to Avoid Probate, Save Taxes, Protect Your assets, Provide For Your Family (1st Edition)

Published in Paperback by Capital Management Pr (December, 1998)

Authors: Frank J. Croke, William F. Croke, and Mary Croke

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Don't waste the time or money

If you want to buy a book on living trusts, stick with the Apts book.

Why Lawyers Never Write Imperfect Trust Documents

There is some useful information in this book, but the main purpose of the work appears to be an attempt to justify all the sins of omission and commission perpetrated by lawyers in the area of family trusts. The most popular and useful of the trusts is the revocable living trust, to which Croke devotes 5 pages out of 300. Lots of "see your lawyer on this" though. Better to read the book by the Schumachers.

Was able to correct major errors in my Trust

This is the best book on trusts I've seen. Found out that my Trust failed to properly provide for my wife and children. Only thing my current Trust provided was a savings on estate taxes but it left my wife an inadequate income from the Trust, less than 3%. Providing my wife with the income she would need from my Trust is more important than just the tax savings. I was able to quickly correct this and several other major errors in my Trust. I learned about Trust options I didn't know I had. And, my attorney never told me about them and neither did the other books on trusts that I've read.

1,001 Perfectly Legal Ways to Get Exactly What You Want, When You Want It, Every Time

Published in Hardcover by FC&A, Inc. (01 June, 2000)

Authors: Frank Cawood and Associates, Linda Sciullo, Sherry Wade, and FC&A

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Can you use the internet?

If you can use the internet, you do not need this book. There are no "big secrets" or earth-shaking revelations here. The information presented in this book is free to anyone who can do an internet search on whatever subject they are interested in. The only thing I learned from this book is how to compile readily available information and sell it for a profit. SAVE YOUR MONEY!

Useful book

All of those useful little tidbits of information people always end up learning the hard way are in this book. There is almost too much useful consumer information in here. I am sure this book will save me a huge amount of trouble later in life. If you've ever wanted a book that could instill years of knowledge and experience to help you out with all sorts of monetary concerns, this is the book for you.

It is filled with many benefits and future savings.

I was impressed with the sheer volume and accuracy of the information contained in this book. It is filled with many benefits, and the future savings in dollars is just amazing.

ABA Guide to Wills and Estates : Everything You Need to Know About Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Taxes

Published in Paperback by Random House Information Group (10 October, 1995)

Author: American Bar Association

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A "help" book which will discourage and confuse

I have been using a few different books to complete a simple legal will and a few simple trust funds. This book is terrible! I was irritated enough to want to write a review to steer people away from this book. The book is filled with examples of things people can do wrong, loads of complicated variations and options and cross references which never quite allow the completion of any single task. Most of the sections end with "it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer....". The only user friendly information in this book is the dozens of ways to find a lawyer, but no useful information on how to complete a will or trust.

Excellent introduction to estate planning

This easy-reading book is a nice non-technical introduction to the world of estate planning. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to get a start in understanding this field.

This is a great little reference guide

I read the previous review and decided to order the book myself. I am a Financial Planner, looking for information I can give to my clients to help them understand the complexities of trusts. I found this book to be a great little quick reference guide. It details in plain english various trusts that are appropriate in different situations. The bottom line is, a person should consult a professional when creating a trust. The possibility of making an error is too great. The consequences can far exceed the cost of paying a couple thousand now to save potentially hundreds of thousands later. I highly recommend this book to help you understand what might be appropriate in your situation and facilitate the discussion with your attorney.

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