Estate Planning Smarts

Table of Contents

Introduction x
Shape the Future With Your Estate Plan

Chapter 1

1
Nothing Lasts Forever
Read this chapter even if you are hearty and clear-headed.

Chapter 2

19
Who Gets What – and How Much Is Enough?
Read this chapter if you want to provide for specific people, charities or pets in your estate plan.

Chapter 3

45
Understand the Tax System
Read this chapter even if you think taxes won’t affect your heirs.

Chapter 4

61
Protect Your Spouse or Partner
Read this chapter if you are involved in any committed relationship.

Chapter 5

83
What if? Provide for Young or Disabled Children
Read this chapter so you can anticipate their needs and make sure they will be nurtured.

Chapter 6

99
Trusts: Not Just for the Wealthy
Read this chapter even if you think you don’t need
these useful tools.

Chapter 7

113
Preserve Retirement Accounts
Read this chapter if you have your own retirement account
or have inherited one.

Chapter 8

139
Be Smart About Life Insurance
Read this chapter whether or not you have life insurance.

Chapter 9

151
Pay for Education
Read this chapter if anyone you love could use help with
this enormous expense, now or in the future.

Chapter 10

169
Subsidize Friends or Family
Read this chapter if you would like to offer financial help
to adult children, grandchildren, parents, siblings or others.

Chapter 11

183
Home Base: Factoring in Real Estate
Read this chapter if you own your primary residence or
vacation home, or might move to a different state.

Chapter 12

201
The Family Business: a Legacy or a Headache?
Read this chapter if you have your own business or a share in a family-held enterprise.

Chapter 13

213
Hidden Traps When Crossing Borders
Read this chapter if you or a family member is a citizen of
another country, lives abroad or has foreign investments.

Chapter 14

229
What You Can Do for Grandchildren
Read this chapter if you would like to provide a financial cushion for your descendants in the years ahead.

Chapter 15

245
Make Lifetime Gifts Go Further
Read this chapter if you have the resources to transfer large
sums of money while you are alive.

Chapter 16

265
Your Charitable Legacy
Read this chapter if there are causes you care deeply about
and would like to benefit now or later.

Chapter 17

285
Create Roadblocks to Creditors
Read this chapter if you worry about being sued.

Chapter 18

297
Keep Your Plan Current
Read this chapter even if you think you can leave
well enough alone.

Glossary

319

Resources and Further Reading

343
A selection of publications, software and Web sites that provide additional information.

Appendix

351
Internal Revenue Service life expectancy tables used to calculate the minimum required distribution from an IRA.

Index

355

 

 

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