How to settle a simple estate without a lawyer The complete guide to wills, probate, and inheritance law explained simply : with companion CD-ROM
Book - 2013
Saved in:
- Subjects
- Published
-
Ocala, Fla. :
Atlantic Pub. Group, Inc
c2013.
- Language
- English
- Main Author
- Physical Description
- 288 p. : ill. ; 23 cm. + 1 CD-ROM
- Bibliography
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- ISBN
- 9781601386144
- Introduction
- Case Study: Edith's Story, Surprising Secret
- Case Study: The Madison Estate, Family Greed
- How this Book Can Help You
- General terminology
- Chapter 1. Can You Handle an Estate without a Lawyer?
- Case Study: The Estate of Lassmann
- What is a Simple Estate?
- What am I getting myself into?
- Is a Lawyer Required?
- Common mistakes of lay people in representing estates
- When a lawyer's services are advisable
- Case Study: Getting Through Probate
- Chapter 2. The Personal Representative
- Understanding the "Legalese"
- Other legal roles you could play
- Case Study: A Simple Example
- Who Can Be the Personal Representative of an Estate?
- Bond requirements
- How is a Person Selected?
- Qualities of the personal representative
- When You Are Asked to Serve
- Preparation is everything
- Things you should know
- Compensation
- Case Study: A Loved One's Experience
- Chapter 3. Probate Procedure
- Start at the Beginning
- Find the will
- Obtain death certificates
- Filing with the court
- Summary probate procedure
- Steps for Filing a Formal Probate
- Sample Probate Exercise
- The will and other matters
- File the will and apply to be appointed executor
- Probate forms
- Upon appointment as executor
- Determine the value of the estate assets
- Give notice to creditors
- Taking care of the taxes
- Closing the estate - Final probate forms filed
- Case Study: Tips from a Judge
- Chapter 4. Wills
- Wills Defined
- Will Basics
- Case Study: Tips from an Attorney
- Types of wills
- Concerning Beneficiaries
- Dying Intestate
- Finding the beneficiaries
- The Living Will or Advance Health Care Directive
- Case Study: My Directives.com
- Chapter 5. Estate Management Obligations
- Taking Inventory
- Real property
- Ancillary proceedings
- Personal property
- Estate Income
- Chapter 6. Debts of the Estate and Estate Expenses
- Issuing Notice to Creditors
- Publication
- Direct notice
- Time Limitations for Filing Creditor Claims
- Resolving Creditor Claims
- Paying the claims
- Estate expenses
- If the Estate Lacks Sufficient Funds
- Case Study: A Loved One's Experience
- Chapter 7. Trusts
- Definition of a Trust
- Considerations
- Types of Trusts
- Minor children as beneficiaries
- Case Study: Taxes and Gifts: The Mysteries
- Chapter 8. Surviving Spouse, Minor Children, and Other Beneficiaries of the Estate
- Rights of Surviving Spouse and Minor Children
- Case Study: The Disinherited Spouse
- Guardianship
- Chapter 9. Taxes
- Income Tax
- Estate Tax
- Property included in estate tax calculation
- Inheritance Tax
- Gift Tax
- Case Study: Tax Advisory from the IRS
- Chapter 10. Settling and Closing the Estate
- Managing the Estate Assets
- Wasting assets
- Making investments for the state
- Real estate
- Personal property
- Business property
- Distribution of Estate Assets to Beneficiaries
- Lapse of beneficiary
- The missing asset - Ademption
- Insufficient assets - Abatement
- Recordkeeping
- Closure of the Estate
- Conclusion
- Appendix A. State Facts and Figures
- States with Inheritance Tax
- State Estate Tax Exemption Thresholds
- Appendix B. Sample Wills
- Sample Simple Will
- Sample Simple Will II
- Sample Ethical Will
- Appendix C. Personal Representative Resources
- Time Sheet and Expenses
- Sample Letter to Creditor
- Sample Letter to Financial Institution Requesting Information
- Informational Videos
- Website Resources
- Glossary of Terms
- Bibliography
- Author Biography
- Index