Estate-planning

It seems like "living trusts" are a fad and I was somewhat cynical, but I also admit I didn't understand what they were. The book gave me the info I needed to work intelligently with a lawyer, which I really needed to do. Before I read the book I thought I might go to one of those do it yourself paralegals, which would have been a HUGE mistake. I took my knowledge and shared it with everyone in my family and now we are all very pleased that we've done estate planning that really takes care of all of our concerns.

Other books on subject were dense, overkill. This one is easy to read and very clear. Removes intimidation and preps you to make choices, talk with lawyer intelligently. Great diagrams and illustrations. Fast read.

Adapted from the review by J. William Thompson

"This book is the proceedings of an extraordinary conference held at the Harvard's Graduate School of Design in the spring of 1998, organized by Niall Kirkwood, ASLA, a GSD professor and editor of this volume
The purpose of this book appears to be to provide a thoughtful overview of current approaches and issues that includes numerous case studies of actual sites, including such well-known brownfield redevelopments as Duisburg Nord in Germany, Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, and the Sydney Olympic's site.
Overall the value of this volume is in making a bold start at "rethinking the post-industrial landscape", as the subtitle suggests. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the book is the gritty, substantive role it charts for landscape architects in brownfield reclamation"

'Manufactured Sites' edited by N. Kirkwood resulted from a conference in 1998 at Harvard that presented complex
contaminated industrial sites and their cleanup and reuse.
It assembles authorities on the science, engineering, planning and design of brownfields and other remediated
sites and is necessary for anyone involved in the reuse of these landscapes. Simply the only book addressing the intersection of different disciplines and fields who have to confront the legacy of the 20th century industrialization.

An excellent guide for survivors in navigating the "...practical tasks of a death." It is a great tool to becoming prepared for the realities one faces at a terribly vulnerable time in one's life.

This is not a review, but a question for Amazon Can you notify me if you have a website listing for the author of this excellent book ? Thank you very much.

This book shows how easy it is to write your own will. Unless your situation is complex, you will find there is no need to hire a lawyer. The author assures you that if you follow directions, the will is valid and will be duly executed when the time comes. Be sure to read the text, as it offer good guidance. Resist the temptation to jump directly to filling out one of the many sample wills provided.

I was pleased with this book as it is written in straightforward, clear language with easy to follow steps. The only thing I wished it had was a disk containing the forms that you must otherwise type out (however, I believe another Nolo book has this). It seems to cover all the basics and even has a chapter on wills as an extra bonus. The book contains sample forms that you can use which is helpful.

Easy to read in simple terms

The basics of financial planning are communicated in a way everyone can understand.

Jane B. Lucal, a probate judge in Erie County, Ohio, describes how to implement early estate planning in order to make the best financial choices for yourself and your family. She begins by discussing the need for estate planning based on identifying your goals and your net worth. She suggests ways to preserve your estate while taking state laws into consideration. Lucal discusses the probate process and helps you prepare for it. One by one, she explains various estate planning tools, such as annuities, charitable donations, gifts, insurance, retirement plans, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, wills, property deeds, trusts and disability planning. getAbstract appreciated her wrap-up of seven key steps for setting up your own estate plan. The bigger your assets, the more you need this book. (Note: the legal nature of this information means the book is probably useful only for those living in the United States.)

I have spent a lot of money and time with attorneys,etc. to put together a sound and productive estate plan. As an octogenarian, I don't have much time to maneuver and so reading JUDGE JANE'S "Plan Now or Pay Later" convinces me that younger people have an advantage of a book about a very complicated(made so by many in the profession)matter which is nevertheless of importance to every living person. The "case study" feature of this book is unique and the best learning tool I have seen.After all these years, my eyes were opened and my understanding enhanced. YOUNG PEOPLE-for around twenty bucks don't miss this opportunity to put and keep your affairs in order. This is a win win investment!

I am a paralegal and this book gives a good, basic understanding of various state laws as well as requirements for finders. You can glean ideas from this book to start your own business, if you so desire.

The text takes you into the subject of unclaimed money in a very simple way. It shows you the origins of unclaimed money and some of the mechanics of how it is handled. You are given a general guide of how to go about tracking through this evident mess of uncorrelated data. He also tells you that some of the government agencies appear to rely on few citizens actually finding money, and most of the unclaimed money has actually been spent by states. There is also a overview of the business of returning money to owners,and earning a profit while doing it. The level is all introductory. Advanced techniques and logic are mentioned, but not extensively gone into. It is an easy, comfortable and easy to read and remember format.

Ms. Perry (the GO FISH heiress) has written a book that covers both the emotional and the financial sides of getting an inheritance. I found her advise on both sides to be sensitive and helpful. I recommend reading this book before giving or coming into an inheritance.

This book was wonderful. My father died 10 months ago and I just read this book. I wish I had found it earlier. The subjects discussed in this book are hard to share with others. Finally I realized there were others out there that felt as I have. I am going to be purchasing copies of this book to give to my attourney, the funeral director and my appraisor. My hope is that they will give them away to someone who is just starting to go through this processes. If you are an inheritor you need this book! It is also good for anyone to know information about estate planning.

This books includes alot of great, sound information, and is detailed enough to allow a person to discuss the options with their attorney/CPA. It does not provide enough info to allow the nonprofessional to draft any documents. A little disappointed that nearly all of the wealth transfer techniques deal with CRTs. However, they are described in the context of their application in different scenarios, which provides a clear illustration of their benefits (which are significant). In summary, this book provided a number (about a dozen) great ideas for using ones assets to generate income while alive and transferring the assets to children with reduced estate taxes.

If you are told to "get your affairs in order", it makes you think you are approaching your final days on earth and you better get your legal and financial information together so your loved ones won't have to after your passing. Well, if you are faced with that unfortunate situation, this book would definitely be what you need. The title however, unfairly limits this books ability to appeal to the masses... and the masses should definitely have this book!

This book is for everyone... old or young, healthy or unhealthy, rich or poor. It is written in an easy to follow checklist format and even has the checklists duplicated and perforated in the back of the book for your imediate hands-on use. Each chapter makes you think long and hard about finances, insurance, retirement plans, legal issues and estate planning, credit and credit history, and taxes.

If you are not an organized person, it gives you a great system for compiling and keeping your records accessible and up to date. If you are an organized person, you will LOVE this book, because it is so thorough and systematic that you will be anxious to impliment those ideas you may not have thought of.

For instance, if your purse or wallet was stolen or misplaced, would you be able to instantly list it's typical contents and information associated with it's contents? Imagine having a list containing account numbers and customer service numbers for each credit card, library card, identification card, license, insurance card, etc., you typically carry. What might take months to even realize you no longer have, could now be replaced immediately with this system. This book is loaded with ideas like this... things you just don't think about until you REALLY NEED the information and then it might be too late or much more difficult to obtain.

This book gives you back CONTROL of your life. Applying it's system will make you better prepared for any of life's glitches, big or small. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to impliment this easy to follow plan!