Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust [Paperback]

Mary Randolph J.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 29, 2008

Settling an estate can be like moving through a maze -- let The Executor's Guide lead the way. If you're faced with wrapping up the affairs of a loved one who has died, you may feel overwhelmed by all the work ahead -- especially when you're grieving. But with the right legal and practical information, you can do it. The Executor's Guide will show you how to get organized, get the help you need and make progress one step at a time. Let it help you navigate an unfamiliar land of legal procedures and terminology. It explains how to prepare for the job of executor or trustee, the first steps to take, claiming life insurance, Social Security and other benefits, making sense of a will, what to do if there is no will, how to determine whether probate is necessary, caring for children and their property, taxes, an overview of probate court proceedings, dealing with family members, handling trusts, looking up your state's laws and working with lawyers, appraisers, accountants and other experts. The 3rd edition contains updated tables outlining key points of each state's laws, the latest information on estate taxes and worksheets that help you stay organized and on track. (20090101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Covers such topics as taking care of orphaned young children, dealing with creditors, collecting benefits and filing taxes. (WTOP-FM, Washington D.C. 20090101)

Excellent how-to guide with up-to-date notations and references. (D. S., Greendale, WI 20090101)

Covers the gamut of estate chores and helps you get through them. (Kiplinger's Retirement Report 20090101)

Explains how to find state-specific information, and an appendix sorts legalities by state. (Miami Herald )

Provides a guide for executors and trustees, describing legal procedures and terminology, what to expect, decisions that will need to be made, and questions to ask. (Reference & Research Book News )

About the Author

Mary Randolph earned her law degree from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of The Executor's Guide: Settling Your Loved One's Estate or Trust, 8 Ways to Avoid Probate, Every Dog's Legal Guide: A Must-Have Book for Your Owner, and Deeds for California Real Estate. She is also a coauthor of the legal manual for Quicken WillMaker. She has been a guest on The Today Show and has been interviewed by many publications, including the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 507 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 3 edition (February 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413306551
• ISBN-13: 978-1413306552
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Law > Business > Consumer Law

More About the Author

Mary Randolph earned her law degree from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of The Executor's Guide: Settling Your Loved One's Estate or Trust, 8 Ways to Avoid Probate, Every Dog's Legal Guide: A Must-Have Book for Your Owner, and Deeds for California Real Estate. She is also a coauthor of the legal manual for Quicken WillMaker Plus. She has been a guest on The Today Show and has been interviewed by many publications, including the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is THE book to have when you're loved one dies!, December 10, 2005

By 

J. G. Renauer "Tech Dude" (Naperville, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust (Paperback)

It hard enough when your parent unexpectedly dies and you discover you are the executor of the estate. There are so many questions and so little time. This book is a godsend. It covers everything you need to know from the moment your loved one passes. It describes step by step, in plain english fashion, what needs to be done in the first week, the first month, and in the future. Everything from death certificates, to funeral arrangements, to claiming life insurance, and, of course, dealing with the estate. It's all in this book. It is your one-stop resource for unbiased, easy to understand, how-to information. This is THE book to have even if you are not an executor. It will help your entire family. It answers so many questions and takes the mystery out of settling an estate. It's like having an estate attorney in the family. It has helped my family tremendously.

Books from Nolo Press have always been easy to understand and use. This book is no exception and contiunes their fine tradition of making legal processes accessible to ordinary folks like you and me.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Executor reviews Executor's Review, January 9, 2007

By 

Darrow Simpson (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

An excellent guide for those of us struggling to manipulate the legal maze of probate. After having read the book, I was able to avoid asking as many questions of an attorney resulting in savings to the estate of hundreds of dollars. More importantly, I was able to deal with heirs and family members in a fair and intelligent manner. No one has been able to complain of things not being explained clearly or of the process moving too slowly. I would recommend the book to anyone who is about to administer an estate.It is a great tool for an heir or family member who simply wants to be better informed.

55 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Provides A Good Starting Point, But Could Do More, March 2, 2006

By 

Mathew K. Higbee "Rally Rider" (Salt Lake City, Ut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust (Paperback)

This book does a fine job of providing a basic overview of all steps of the probate process and for settling a trust. It is well organized, easy to read, and provides good sources of additional information.

However, it does not provide advice on how to handle semi-complex situations that often arise during probate or while managing a trust. While very complex questions of law should be left to professionals and not hastily discussed in a do-it-yourself book, some treatment should have been give to such things as how to deal with banks and other holders of property who do not recognize the authority of the trustee or executor or what to do to settle disputes with an attorney-in-fact under a durable power of attorney or between co-trustees.

I purchased this book because I was looking for a good guide for a trustee who was managing a living trust for a trustor who was declared incompetent. This is an increasingly common situation and the book completely ignores it, instead only discussing trusts in the context settling the trust or a deceased trustor-- as the title of the book suggests.

This book is great starting point, but if the estate or trust you are settling is not perfectly planned and drafted, you will likely still need the help of a professional.

Despite the shortcomings, I am yet to find a better guide. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.