Estate-planning

These steps help you keep control of your life when health problems could otherwise overwhelm you. As Landay says, "preparing for the worst allows you to expect the best." I followed his recommendations in coping with multiple sclerosis and applied some of them in my book The Art of Getting Well.

It's not always the easiest read; it's long and packed with info and resources. But I consider it a vital reference; I don't know of an equal one on the topic.

David Spero RN www.davidsperoRN.com

All in all, I now have a much better idea of estate planning and even picked up a few hints to talk to my lawyer about for adjusting my will, which I already had but hadn't updated in a long time. That's another thing the authors do well, which is mention over and over how you need to regularly update your will, your insurance, and everything else that's part of your estate planning.

Mary Randolph does an excellent jobs of giving you simple techniques that let you bypass most or all of the probate process.

Again, the book is worth the money.

This is a solid, common sense, easily-read guideline for those who are wise enough to learn from others how to preserve what it took a lifetime to build.

It is Norman Pappas' factual yet enjoyable presentation of personal financial essentials that separates "Passing the Bucks" from similar books. Believe me, I've struggled to read many of them in an effort to understand how to keep Uncle Sam at bay and preserve the results of a lifetime of work for my heirs and business partners. Now I've finally got it!

The author is an obvious authority on wills and trusts, business succession, insurance, estate taxes, corporate benefits and personal financial planning.

However, it's the WAY he brings it all across that makes it all so digestible. You can almost see this book - and its chuckle-filled Q&A format - as a TV series with Jerry Seinfeld or Tim Allen as the baffled businessman (hey, they're just sitting around counting their money now anyway).

The ease of finally understanding the alphabet soup of trust options (GRIT, GRAT, CLAT, CLUT, QTIP) makes us want to put together a plan NOW to protect our assets. I never realized that my children might only see 27% of my IRA dollars! And who knew that it costs me $155 to make a gift of $100 while I'm alive...but $222 to give the same $100 in a will when I'm gone? I know now!

As Mr. Pappas says, we and our accountants and lawyers are too busy putting out the day-to-day brush fires to deal with the forest fire that's just over the horizon.

I now feel confident that the people I love will be the biggest beneficiaries - literally - of my having read "Passing the Bucks."

"Passin the Bucks", is not, and does not claim to be a substitute for professional advice. Instead it should be used by the individual to gain knowledge so that he/she can come to the table with his/her advisors armed with the knowledge to carry on an efficient and intelligent discourse. With a little time and effort this volume will provide the affluent individual with information needed to preserve assets that have been acquired over a lifetime. So long as the government, through odious tax policy, continues to destroy family bussinesses and conficates already taxed personal assets, people like Mr. Pappas will be a welcome savior.

CGJM@AOL.COM

Your friends might not be willing to say "no" while you are alive, but what happens later? I know for a fact, even my mother would not want to look after my cats because she doesn't really like cats. It would be unfair to the cats and to her to leave them in her care. Not everyone loves pets, that is for sure.

While thinking about your soul is the most important thing you can ever do, thinking about what will happen to your pets if you are not here to look after them, could be a close second. Especially for those of us who think of our pets as being like kids.

Apparently, many dogs, cats and other pets found in shelters end up there because their owners became ill or were unable to care for them. Some owners died without leaving plans for their pets' next home. Unfortunately, many of these animals are euthanized because they can't find homes.

"64 percent of all pets that entered the participating shelters for any reason were euthanized." -A survey conducted between 1994 and 1997 by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy

We all heard the stories about pets being left behind in homes and apartments after the Sept 11th tragedy and while that was more "visible" to us, this problem is not uncommon.

Lisa starts her book with a rather frightening story about how an owner died and his son had no interest in protecting animals and let them all out of the house to wander and fend for themselves. Fortunately a local animal shelter and rescue coordinator were able to save the animals and find homes for them. Lisa states that unfortunately not all stories end this happily.

This book will show you why:

1. Having a will isn't enough
2. Why probate is dangerous for your pets
3. How to fund a pet trust even if you're broke
4. How to avoid challenges from non-pet-loving relatives.

5. Why it is a good idea to keep a "In Case of Emergency" wallet card.
6. It is a good idea to have an emergency kit for your pets if you live in areas where there is danger of a natural disaster.
7. Why it is important to take this seriously if you love your pets.

Contents:

Chapter One: Why You Need Perpetual Care

Chapter Two: The Essentials

Chapter Three: Finding Your Perpetual Caretaker

Chapter Four: Estate Planning for Pets

Chapter Five: Of Hound Mind and Body

Chapter Six: In Dog - Or Cat -We Trust

Chapter Seven: Gimme Shelter: Sanctuaries and Retirement Homes

Chapter Eight: The Fine Print: What Else You Can Do

An Appendix guides you to pet-friendly lawyers and pet retirement homes and sanctuaries. There is also a list of states where pet trusts are legal.

The fact is, many of us think we are too young to write a will. Maybe this book will also encourage you to write your own will and there is information included that will give you some ideas on how to go about writing a will.

Lisa Rogak is the author of more than 25 books. She lives in New Hampshire with her 12 cats where she also runs a company that produces over 100 different greeting cards.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to humane organizations in all fifty states.

A book about making plans for the continued survival of your pets in the event you are unable to care for them, due to either disability or death.

Lisa Rogak takes you step-by-step through the procedure to assure your pets will be protected if you should be unable to care for them. She describes what to do, when to do it and how to do it.

She recommends arranging for a temporary adopter and planning your estate. She discusses living wills and trusts.

As the author of The Older Cat; Recognizing Decline and Extending Life, I have done a lot of research and writing in this area. I can testify to the need for this book.

Dan Poynter, ParaPublishing.com