Description
Book SynopsisEnjoy peace of mind knowing that your assets will pass to your family according to your wishes Regardless of your age or income, writing a legal will is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. But where do you begin? Wills & Trusts Kit For Dummies walks you through the most important considerations to have in mind when you're deciding what will happen to your estate when you're gone. Writing a will or setting up a trust isn't as fun as binge watching the latest hot web series, but this book makes the task a little less daunting. Find out who needs a will or trust (spoiler alert: everyone!), when you should create one, and how to take the first steps. Handy online content includes practical worksheets, forms, and templates that simplify and explain the process of estate planning in language that doesn't require a legal education to understand. With the help of Wills & Trusts Kit For Dummies, you'll have a document that details your final wishes before you know it. Navigate probate, tax, and state laws that govern how property is passed to the next generationAvoid the most common estate planning pitfalls and mistakesChoose qualified professionals and specialists to help you make the best decisions for your familyDesignatea guardian for your children and plan for their financial needs You deserve to know that your loved ones will be properly taken care of when you're no longer with them. Wills &Trusts Kit For Dummies delivers straightforward guidance and peace of mind on a subject that, sooner or later, we all must face. *Please reference the Introduction to access a webpage where you will find a number of downloadable files and forms to create a will, living trust, living will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare proxy.*
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Your Will or Trust 5
Chapter 1: Ensuring That Your Last Wishes Are Honored 7
Chapter 2: Making Crucial Decisions 25
Chapter 3: Gathering Pertinent Information 41
Chapter 4: Planning Your Bequests 53
Chapter 5: Providing for Your Children and Dependents 77
Chapter 6: Dipping into Your Pocket: The Tax Man (and Others) 87
Part 2: Everything You Need to Know about Wills 107
Chapter 7: Writing and Signing a Will 109
Chapter 8: Navigating the Land Mines 127
Chapter 9: When You Already Have a Will 145
Chapter 10: Estate Administration: What Happens in Probate Court 157
Part 3: Trust Me! How Trusts Work 171
Chapter 11: The Anatomy of a Trust 173
Chapter 12: Dead or Alive: Picking Your Trust 187
Chapter 13: When You Already Have a Trust 209
Part 4: Carrying Out the Intent of Your Will and Trust 219
Chapter 14: Planning for Your Incapacity 221
Chapter 15: Those Cushy Retirement Funds 245
Chapter 16: Life Insurance: Making Sure It Doesn’t Backfire 259
Chapter 17: Your Castle: How It’s Owned Makes a Huge Difference 271
Part 5: The Part of Tens 285
Chapter 18: Ten Common Will Mistakes 287
Chapter 19: Ten Reasons to Have a Trust 295
Chapter 20: Ten Tax Traps to Avoid When Planning Your Estate 303
Part 6: Appendixes 313
Appendix A: State Signing Requirements 315
Appendix B: State Inheritance Taxes 341
Appendix C: Estate Planning Worksheet 345
Index 373
