Protecting Your Money

by Hughes, Theodore E.; Klein, David

• ISBN13: 9781555834982
• ISBN10: 1555834981
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Alyson Pubns

Summary

The authors of "Ownership" and "The Executor's Handbook" show same-sex couples how to easily navigate the treacherous waters of financial and estate planning.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why This Book?	ix
The Legal Issues	x
The Social Issues	xv
How to Use This Book	xv
A Note of Caution	xvi
PART ONE: PERSONAL ISSUES
Your Will and Its Significance	3	(28)
What a Will Can Do	8	(2)
What a Will Can't---or Shouldn't---Do	10	(2)
Who Should Prepare the Will?	12	(3)
What Your Lawyer Needs to Know	15	(10)
Executing and Protecting Your Will	25	(1)
Modifying or Revoking Your Will	26	(2)
Avoiding Will Contests	28	(2)
The Problem of Probate	30	(1)
Domestic-Partnership Contracts, Child-Related Issues, and Adult Adoption	31	(17)
The Domestic-Partnership Contract	32	(10)
Child-Related Issues	42	(2)
Adult Adoption	44	(2)
Making a Decision	46	(2)
Your Letter of Instruction	48	(15)
PART TWO: FINANCIAL ISSUES
How to Own What You Have	63	(13)
Sole Ownership	64	(2)
Joint Tenancy With Rights of Survivorship	66	(3)
Pay-on-Death Accounts	69	(1)
Totten Trust	69	(1)
The Revocable Living Trust	70	(3)
Custodial Account for Minors	73	(1)
Trust for Minors	74	(1)
Making a Choice	75	(1)
What Shape Is Your Nest Egg?	76	(17)
Investment Risks	77	(1)
Where to Get Advice	78	(2)
Your Goals	80	(1)
Choices	81	(12)
PART THREE: ILLNESS AND MORTALITY
Anticipating Disability	93	(20)
Managing Your Finances During Disability	94	(8)
Issues of Life and Death	102	(6)
Funding Long-Term Nursing Care	108	(4)
Summing It Up	112	(1)
When Death Is Imminent	113	(21)
Matters of Life and Death	115	(5)
Funeral Planning	120	(2)
Matters of Money	122	(10)
How Important Is All This?	132	(2)
Funerals---and Some Alternatives	134	(18)
Disposal Alternatives	138	(8)
Ritual Alternatives	146	(2)
Memorial Societies	148	(2)
Planning Tentatively	150	(2)
Probate and Taxes	152	(31)
The Probate Process	153	(4)
Two Simpler Forms of Probate	157	(6)
Formal Probate Administration	163	(10)
Taxes---Federal and State	173	(8)
Distributing the Estate	181	(1)
Closing the Estate	182	(1)
Appendix: Sample Forms	183	(40)
Affidavit for Collection	184	(1)
Will	185	(2)
Codicil	187	(1)
Holographic Will	188	(1)
Personal Property Assignment	189	(1)
Real Estate Deed	190	(1)
Revocable Living Trust	191	(3)
Domestic-Partnership Agreement	194	(5)
Financial Power of Attorney (immediate)	199	(3)
Financial Power of Attorney (effective on disability)	202	(3)
Limited Financial Power of Attorney	205	(2)
Revocation of Power of Attorney	207	(1)
Living Will	208	(1)
Medical Power of Attorney	209	(4)
Letter of Instruction	213	(10)
Index	223