The Complete Book of Wills, Estates & Trusts by Alexander A. Bove, Jr., Jr., Esq., Esq. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Notice A Helpful Introduction Special Note to Readers Acknowledgments 1: The World of Wills

Your Own Nobel Prize The Probate Process—Step by Step Do You Really Need a Lawyer? Keep This in Mind

2: Do You Really Need a Will?

Heirs and Shares Probate Property vs. Nonprobate Property Options Your Will Offers You Keep This in Mind

3: What Is a Will?

Formalities of a Will Signing Your Own Will at Home Who May Make a Will? Wills Made in Another State What Property Will Pass Under Your Will? Joint Wills Where to Keep Your Will Keep This in Mind

4: How to Cancel or Change Your Will

5: Common Will Provisions

A Question of Words, and the Use of “Boilerplate” Language Some Common but Necessary Will Provisions Understanding the Difference Between Real and Personal Property Dealing with Oriental Rugs, the Coin Collection, and Heirloom Jewelry Leaving Something to Charity Some Final Words About Words Keep This in Mind

6: Uncommon Will Provisions—Controlling from the Grave

The Requirements of a Conditional Bequest Some Varieties of Conditional Bequests Conditions on Burials, Funerals, and Memorials Defaming from the Grave—Having the Last Bad Word Noncontest Provision Keep This in Mind

7: Spouses’ and Children’s Rights to an Estate

Disinheriting a Spouse—With and Without a Will Rights of Divorced or Separated Spouses Under a Will Premarital (and Postmarital) Agreements—and Wills Children’s Rights Under a Will Special Family Allowances Keep This in Mind

8: Estate Management

Who Pays the Debts and Expenses of the Estate—and When? Investing Estate Assets Accounting to the Court and to the Beneficiaries When You Can Get Your Share Quick Settlement Procedures for Certain Estates Keep This in Mind

9: Personal Representatives

Who Can or Should Be Your Personal Representative? Powers of the Personal Representative Fees of the Personal Representative Removing a Personal Representative Keep This in Mind

10: Will Contests, Lost Wills, and Beneficiaries’ Rights

Who May Contest Your Will Grounds for a Contest How to Contest a Will Costs and Delays of a Will Contest How to Prevent a Contest Probating a Lost Will Keep This in Mind

11: Avoiding Probate and Wills Altogether

12: Everything You Need to Know About Trusts

The Basics of Trusts—A Working Overview Coordinating Your Plan—Putting Your Trust to Work Trusts for the “Family” Asset Protection Trusts Offshore Asset Protection Trusts Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT) Decanting Trusts Special Purpose Trusts Keep This in Mind

13: Probate, Trusts, and Taxes

Probate vs. Taxes A Word About Our Tax System What Is Included in Your Estate? Taxable Value Trusts and Income Taxes Trust Tax Reporting Requirements and Tax Rates What a Trust Beneficiary Needs to Know The Federal Gift Tax The Federal Estate Tax The Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Tax-Oriented Trusts Tax-Oriented Family Trusts Keep This in Mind

14: Dealing with Lawyers

Hiring an Estate-Planning Lawyer Hiring an Estate-Settlement Lawyer Lawyers’ Fees—Planning Estates Lawyers’ Fees—Settling Estates Firing an Estate Lawyer Keep This in Mind

Notes

Note 1 Notes 12 Note 13

Appendix: Personal Representative’s Checklist Glossary Index About the Authors Newsletter Sign-up Contents Copyright