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Rating: 
Summary: A very good book!
Review: As a potential beneficiary, I found this to be a very helpful and very readable primer on estate planning, the legal issues, and the emotional fallout that can occur as a result of inheritances. The advice given is all good. The appendices and lists of other contacts are very good. I was disappointed, however, that the author did not include any discussion on: the importance of titling of assets to aid in the estate planning; and how election of beneficiaries for insurance policies, retirement accounts, trusts, and financial accounts can affect the estate plan.
Rating: 
Summary: Might be so basic it's not worth your time
Review: If you're looking for solid guidance as an executer or fiduciary, go elsewhere. "How to Settle and Estate" is the better choice. The handbook gives a scant 7 pages of practical advice on what to do if/when someone close has died. Things like: Contact the funeral director, determine your parent's wishes concerning the funeral, ascertain whether your parents have already paid for their funeral, notify friends, locate the original copy of the will - - you get the idea. I was very disappointed especially given the glowing reviews provided by others.
Rating:
Summary: Might be so basic it's not worth your time
Review: If you're looking for solid guidance as an executer or fiduciary, go elsewhere. "How to Settle and Estate" is the better choice. The handbook gives a scant 7 pages of practical advice on what to do if/when someone close has died. Things like: Contact the funeral director, determine your parent's wishes concerning the funeral, ascertain whether your parents have already paid for their funeral, notify friends, locate the original copy of the will - - you get the idea. I was very disappointed especially given the glowing reviews provided by others.
Rating:
Summary: Might be so basic it's not worth your time
Review: If you're looking for solid guidance as an executer or fiduciary, go elsewhere. "How to Settle and Estate" is the better choice. The handbook gives a scant 7 pages of practical advice on what to do if/when someone close has died. Things like: Contact the funeral director, determine your parent's wishes concerning the funeral, ascertain whether your parents have already paid for their funeral, notify friends, locate the original copy of the will - - you get the idea. I was very disappointed especially given the glowing reviews provided by others.
Rating: 
Summary: Dealing with emotional loss and financial gain.
Review: Like most baby boomers (I'm 56), I couldn't talk to my father about death or money, for the usual reasons: I don't want to seem morbid or greedy. But a magazine article I wrote three years ago about the problems of trust beneficiaries convinced me that 90% of their troubles could have been avoided if they'd talked to their parents before their parents died. This is easier said than done- discussing money or death with one's parents is tougher than discussing sex- so I searched for some book that would help me. To my surprise, I found dozens of guidebooks to help people write their wills and plan their estates, but nothing for those of us who are (or may be) on the receiving end of an inheritance. So I wound up writing such a book myself. The Inheritor's Handbook seeks to fill this void- whether the need arises before the death of your parents or spouse, at the time of death, or years after the death.It seeks to do for inheritors what Dr. Spock did for mothers. Although the book covers everything from choosing advisers to managing investments to dealing with trustees to work and philanthropy, I'm especially proud of two novel observations: First, it's important to talk to parents about their estate. My book provides concrete practical suggestions for opening that conversation. Second, most financial and legal issues turn out to be emotional issues when you scratch beneath the surface. Solve the emotional issue and the financial issue often disappears. In practical terms, this means it may be wiser-and less expensive-to hire a therapist than a lawyer. Until science figures out how to eliminate death, you and I must make the most of the only life we have. One of the best ways of doing that is by dealing sensibly with death. By confronting death with the proper knowledge and preparation, you and I can make the best of an essential and inevitable human transition. Good luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Rare find.
Review: Most books on estates and trusts are simply clueless in dealing with anything except for numbers and laws, as seen from the perspective of someone setting up a trust.This book views the subject as a set of human issues, from the perspective of a trust beneficiary. Though there are no other books on this subject matter to compare this one with, I thought that it did the job well.
Rating:
Summary: Good presentation of "Plus's & Negatives" of alternatives
Review: This book is very well written and organized without being "over legal." My recently deceased Father, who was an attorney speciallizing in Estate Law, always down-played Trusts (although he set one up for himself.) From this writing, I now see why they are not for everyone. I plan to purchase a copy for each of my siblings, as our Mother ages, to keep us on the same "wavelength."
Rating:
Summary: Good presentation of "Plus's & Negatives" of alternatives
Review: This book is very well written and organized without being "over legal." My recently deceased Father, who was an attorney speciallizing in Estate Law, always down-played Trusts (although he set one up for himself.) From this writing, I now see why they are not for everyone. I plan to purchase a copy for each of my siblings, as our Mother ages, to keep us on the same "wavelength."
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for all people who may inheret someday.
Review: This book is well-written and is split into sections for persons who may inheret, persons who's loved ones have died, and persons who have already inhereted. It discusses how to approach parents to determine what plans they have made, and what to do if they do not want to discuss their plans. It explains what a person should do in setting up "his" own estate, and discussing it with children. It lists a large number of resources (support groups, financial, philanthropic, and psychological advisors, and extensive printed materials). If you plan to leave money to anyone, or any entity, this is a good book to read.
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