The Handbook to Wills, Funerals, and Probate

by Hughes, Theodore E.

• ISBN13: 9780816066704
• ISBN10: 0816066701
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-06-01
• Publisher: Checkmark Books

Summary

Praise for the previous hardcover edition: "...this guide is especially valuable...Extremely helpful..."--Booklist A concise guide to how to protect yourself and your survivors. Few people want to think about death, and fewer still know how to properly plan for it, often leaving families to deal with confusing financial concerns. The Handbook to Wills, Funerals, and Probate, Third Edition simplifies this topic--clearly and concisely explaining wills and how they function, probate and death taxes, making funeral arrangements, and settling and closing an estate. With laws constantly changing, this guide--a thoroughly updated and revised edition of A Family Guide to Wills, Funerals, and Probate--covers the latest rules and procedures. Updates include the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which revised federal gift and estate tax law, and all state law tables, and new chapters have been added to cover vital issues in more detail. This volume is essential for anyone facing tough decisions following the death of a loved one. New and updated coverage includes: *Executor's fees and liabilities *401(k) and other retirement accounts *Finding solutions for special situations *Gifts *Joint ownership *Life insurance *Long-term care insurance and Medicaid *New funeral and burial regulations *Preparing for incapacity *Transfer of family businesses *Transfer-on-death registrations and deeds *Trusts.

Author Biography

Theodore E. Hughes, Michigan Assistant Attorney General for Law David Klein was professor emeritus of social sciences at Michigan State University

Table of Contents

List of Documents	p. v
List of Tables	p. vi
Introduction	p. vii
Making Life Easier for Your Survivors
Your Will and Its Functions	p. 3
Probate Administration and How to Avoid It	p. 33
Joint Ownership and Its Pros and Cons	p. 55
Trusts and Their Versatility	p. 79
Insuring Your Life	p. 109
Gift and Estate Taxes	p. 119
Special Situations	p. 129
Preparing for Incapacity	p. 137
Funerals, Organ Donations-and Some Alternatives	p. 163
Your Letter of Instruction	p. 181
When Death Seems Imminent	p. 199
Coping with a Death in the Family
A Note to Survivors	p. 217
Body Disposal and Funeral Rites	p. 221
Negotiating with Funeral Directors	p. 235
The Will: Guardianships and Other First Steps	p. 255
Sorting Out the Assets	p. 265
Settling and Closing the Estate	p. 297
Appendix	p. 321
Glossary	p. 327
Further Reading	p. 341
Index	p. 343
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Praise for the previous hardcover edition:
...this guide is especially valuable...Extremely helpful...—Booklist
A concise guide to how to protect yourself and your survivors.
Few people want to think about death, and fewer still know how to properly plan for it, often leaving families to deal with confusing financial concerns. The Handbook to Wills, Funerals, and Probate, Third Edition simplifies this topic—clearly and concisely explaining wills and how they function, probate and death taxes, making funeral arrangements, and settling and closing an estate.
With laws constantly changing, this guide—a thoroughly updated and revised edition of A Family Guide to Wills, Funerals, and Probate—covers the latest rules and procedures. Updates include the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which revised federal gift and estate tax law, and all state law tables, and new chapters have been added to cover vital issues in more detail. This volume is essential for anyone facing tough decisions following the death of a loved one.
New and updated coverage includes:
Executor's qualifications, duties, and fees
Financial powers of attorney
Funeral, burial, and cremation
Guardians for minor children
IRA, 401(k), and other retirement accounts
Joint and other forms of ownership
Life insurance
Living wills and medical powers of attorney
Organ donations
Pay-on-death bank accounts
Probate and how to avoid it
Settling an estate
Transfer-on-death securities accounts
Wills and trusts
and more.