Estate Planning

Estate planning is the act of organizing the assets of one's estate to create a balance of safety, growth and tax savings according to the needs of the estate holder.  Goals of estate planning might include aggressive growth in the owner's younger years to income and tax savings in his or her elder years.  An important part of estate planning is the structuring of assets to allow the expedited transfer of an estate to heirs with as few taxes as possible.  Provisions can be included in an estate structure to provide for grandchildren, charities or others upon the passing of the estate owner.

Basic tools of estate planning include wills, various uses of trusts, powers of appointment, annuities and other insurance instruments, various forms of real estate ownership, powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, living wills, etc.  The larger an estate is the more flexibility the owner of the estate has to make use of various legal structures so the estate is handled properly and passes to the heirs as the owner wishes upon death.

Estate Planning Best Sellers from Amazon.com

Wills, Trusts, and Estates, Eighth Edition
by Jesse Dukeminier, Robert H. Sitkoff, James Lindgren
Amazon Price: $147.02
Customer Review: This is a great textbook. It nicely balances foundational materials with the cases. The layout of the book makes for an easy outline. The rules are clear and thoroughly laid out in each section - I barely needed the supplements I bought.
...
 

The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust
by Mary Randolph J.D.
Amazon Price: $26.39
Customer Review: I haven't been in a position like this yet but this book will take you through the entire process-from the time of death to the final closing of the estate. "The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust" is the definitive instruction ...
 

Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To (book wit...
by Melanie Cullen, Shae Irving J.D.
Amazon Price: $14.95
Customer Review: The book was good, the CD was great. You can type information into the forms and print them. Don't get the binder, it is a rip-off. You can make one for $5. No envelopes or anything other than a binder and printed tabs.
 

Saving the Family Cottage: A Guide to Succession Planning for Your Cottage, C...
by Stuart Hollander, David Fry, Rose Hollander
Amazon Price: $19.79
Customer Review: Well written book. Author discusses several real world situations, and describes outcomes of proper vacation home death planning, and consequences of non-planning or avoidance. You do not have to be an attorney, financial planner, or accounant to r...
 

Rich Dad's Real Estate Advantages: Tax and Legal Secrets of Successful Real E...
by Sharon L. Lechter, Garrett Sutton
Amazon Price: $7.20
Customer Review: As a Title Representative for Fidelity National Title in North Los Angeles county, I've had hundreds use this book /CD as a guide in their real estate practices for their real estate investments. So many of my clients have used Sutton Law Center for ...
 

Newsfeed display by CaRP

Estate Planning News
GN News

• MEG Financial Stresses The Importance Of Life Insurance In Estate Planning
MEG Financial Stresses the Importance of Life Insurance in Estate Planning MEG Financial, a nationwide specialty life, disability and estate planning insurance agency comments on the death of George Steinbrenner and how he escaped and more raquo
• Despite Fears, Proper Estate Planning Vital For Loved Onesapos Future Boston...
Despite fears, proper estate planning vital for loved ones39 futureBoston HeraldTwo years ago, my sister in law Eileen went kicking and screaming to meet with lawyers and do some estate planning. There were plans to be made,
• John Hancock Launches New CE Course To Help Financial Advisors Navigate A P...
John Hancock Launches New CE Course to Help Financial Advisors Navigate a PR Newswire press releasequotGiven the likelihood of increased income tax rates, it39s important to review financial, retirement and estate planning objectives with your clients,quot says and more raquo
• The Current Status Of Federal Estate Tax Laws Lexology Registration
Obama News and Resources blogThe current status of federal estate tax lawsLexology registrationWhat happens if someone dies in 2010, and his/her estate planning documents use estate tax terms such as quotunified creditquot or quotmarital deductionquot Gibbs Misleads Public on Obama39s Broken Tax PledgeAmericans for Tax Reformall 183 news articles raquo
• VOICES: Barry Glassman, On Productive Client Meetings Wall Street Journal Blog
VOICES: Barry Glassman, on Productive Client MeetingsWall Street Journal blogFor example, doing a Roth IRA conversion combines elements of investing, retirement planning, estate planning and taxes. Very often the accountant will make