Estate Planning Basics [Paperback]

Denis Clifford Attorney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1413307027 | ISBN-13: 978-1413307023 | Publication Date: September 28, 2007 | Edition: 4

This quick read makes understanding the rules of estate planning easy! Estate Planning Basics provides concise, straightforward and easy-to-read explanations of the major components of estate planning, so that you don't have to spend hours wading through endless options (most of which apply to the wealthy). Learn about choosing beneficiaries, estate planning for parents with minor children, wills, living trusts and other probate-avoidance methods, including: using a retirement plan like an IRA or 401(k) as an estate planning device, estate taxes and tax-reduction methods, trusts for people in second marriages, or for those leaving property to a disabled person and planning for the handling of medical and financial decisions if one becomes incompetent. Attorney Denis Clifford gives you the reliable, plain-English answers you need, whether you're doling out the family heirlooms or steering clear of estate taxes. The 4th edition is updated with the the latest estate planning laws and information of your state. (20090101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the simplest and best overviews of the estate-planning process. It will help you understand most of the documents you need, and some basic planning (including disability planning, which too many authors overlook). (The Wall Street Journal 20090101)

A search of more than a dozen books in my reference library uncovered a mention of the stepped up basis in all, but only Estate Planning Basics... makes it clear that the basis of inherited property is adjusted up or down. (Florida Sun-Sentinel )

Will be appreciated by those with modest estates who want a quick overview. (Library Journal )

About the Author

Denis Clifford, a graduate of Columbia Law School, where he was an editor of The Law Review, is a lawyer who specializes in estate planning. He is the author of many Nolo titles including Quick and Legal Will Book and Make Your Own Living Trust and co-author of Plan Your Estate and A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples. He has been interviewed by such major media as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Money Magazine.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 4 edition (September 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413307027
• ISBN-13: 978-1413307023
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Denis Clifford, a graduate of Columbia Law School, where he was an editor of The Law Review, is a lawyer who specializes in estate planning. He is the author of many Nolo titles including Quick and Legal Will Book, Nolo's Simple Will Book and Make Your Own Living Trust and co-author of Plan Your Estate and A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples. He has been interviewed by such major media as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Money Magazine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful primer to estate planning that tells you what it's going to tell you and then tells you!, September 28, 2007

By 

ExecutorCoach.com "estate administration" (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Estate Planning Basics (Paperback)

I loved this book. It was simply wonderful to read. The title matches up perfectly with the content. And the content is very well presented. I would have liked the book better if it had included a Glossary, but the fact that one was not included doesn't kill my high opinion of this book.

Estate planning can be a VERY complicated endeavor. However, it need not be for most people. And this book is aimed at presenting the basics regarding estate planning for the average Tom, Dick, or Mary. It covers wills, will substititutes, and trusts. It covers retirement planning (a little) and some on planning for incapacity.

Of course, what would an estate planning book be without a little discussion on Federal Estate Taxes and techniques to reduce the bite of those taxes if you have a little larger than normal net worth. Lastly, there is some talk about lawyers that practice estate planning, and how to consider hiring one if you might have a need to do so.

Nolo is noted for its self-help mentality, and this book is geared to help Nolo's target audience. If you think your net worth is significant and you will require the services of a competent estate tax planning attorney, then this book is probably not one you will want to read. However, this book does cover the basics and might be helpful to ease you into the subject. 5 stars!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended :), May 20, 2006

By 

MikeKDidIt "Have a great one!" (Logan, IA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Estate Planning Basics (Paperback)

If you have ever embarked on a mission to get your affairs in order, or to help someone get theirs in order, you know how daunting the task can seem. I bought three other books prior to this one, and wish I would have started here. The other books are vast in their expertise, but are too complex for someone getting started. This book is the perfect place to start if you want to gain knowledge about estate planning prior to either making your own will (and/or living trust), or prior to going to see a lawyer for his or her help. This book explains the essentials in simple English. It truly delivers on its sub-title, "What you need to know & nothing more".

p.s. If you are going the do-it-yourself route, I recommend that your second purchase is Quicken WillMaker 2006.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The right place to start, February 6, 2007

By 

R. D. Norton "Voyager" (Marblehead, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Estate Planning Basics (Paperback)

This was not the first estate planning book I bought, but it was the best. Without dumbing the issues down, the author carves out manageable modules to make each chapter as clear and understandable as possible. The book features anecdotal paragraph case studies based on real-life examples to flesh out the major points. In contrast to more encylopedic approaches, and as part of the NOLO series, this book is for non-lawyers. It makes clear that estate planning is about how to avoid probate and how to arrange for the conveyance of your assets to your heirs. That is, estate planning not about tax sheltering per se. Obvious, perhaps, to a lawyer, but not to most people. Another strong point is the clear and cogent explanation of trusts. A trust is a written agreement that defines the relationship among the grantor, the trustee, and beneficiaries. Here as well, the book delivers big-time by rendering legal abstractions accessible to the general reader. What a great service!