The Wise Inheritor [Paperback]

Ann Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2003

The complete guide for managing the financial, legal, and emotional issues of inheritances large and small.

A death in the family is never easy, but receiving an inheritance, whether expected or not, can leave heirs feeling overwhelmed and even guilty at this change in their fortunes. Ann Perry’s insightful examination of the challenges make managing a bequest a little easier.

Combining her practical know-how as a personal finance writer, the expertise of financial advisors, attorneys, and psychologists, and the wisdom gained from her personal inheritance experience, Perry deftly deals with such touchy subjects as selling the family homestead, divvying up property in “blended families,” parceling out heirlooms, dividing a family business, and sharing—or not sharing—an inheritance with a spouse.

With refreshing candor, Perry addresses the guilt, grief, and unrealistic fantasies that can keep heirs from making the most of their windfalls, and also explores the unique, even life-changing, opportunities that a bequest can present. An excellent tool for estate planning, as well, this is essential reading for those who are writing their wills as well as those who are remembered in one.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The complete guide for managing the financial, legal, and emotional issues of inheritances large and small.

A death in the family is never easy, but receiving an inheritance, whether expected or not, can leave heirs feeling overwhelmed and even guilty at this change in their fortunes. Ann Perry's insightful examination of the challenges make managing a bequest a little easier.

Combining her practical know-how as a personal finance writer, the expertise of financial advisors, attorneys, and psychologists, and the wisdom gained from her personal inheritance experience, Perry deftly deals with such touchy subjects as selling the family homestead, divvying up property in "blended families," parceling out heirlooms, dividing a family business, and sharing—or not sharing—an inheritance with a spouse.

With refreshing candor, Perry addresses the guilt, grief, and unrealistic fantasies that can keep heirs from making the most of their windfalls, and also explores the unique, even life-changing, opportunities that a bequest can present. An excellent tool for estate planning, as well, this is essential reading for those who are writing their wills as well as those who are remembered in one.

About the Author

Ann Perry writes a weekly personal financial column for the San Diego Union-Tribune that is syndicated by Copley News Service. She has also written an Internet shopping column for Knight-Ridder newspapers and contributed to many other financial publications.
She lives in Encinitas, California, where she can be reached at [e-mail]. Her grandmother popularized the first widely marketed Go Fish card game, helping lay the foundation for Perry’s own inheritance.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1 edition (June 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076790835X
• ISBN-13: 978-0767908351
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!, June 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wise Inheritor (Paperback)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good All Around, September 14, 2004

By 

M. Glass "El Tataro" (Vail, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wise Inheritor (Paperback)

Ann's book does a nice job of touching on a full range of emotions and feelings. The book wasn't heavy on specific advice, just all around good ideas that everyone should acknowledge when receiving an inheritance. It is a pretty light read with good examples and stories for anyone reading the book. I purchased copies for other members of my family to help them with our recent situation.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a complete approach for inheritors, August 19, 2003

By 

R. BULL "a reader" (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wise Inheritor (Paperback)

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.