Make It Last

NEW Updated for 2018-2019 Do you have a will? Do you have a trust? Did you know that 55% of Americans die without a will or estate plan? Are you are ready to take care of this too-often avoided task, and put your legal ducks in a row? Using a breezy, jargon-free style, this book is written in a way that everyone can understand many of the important principles of getting and keeping your legal ducks in a row. In this book you will learn how to avoid some of the pitfalls involved in putting together a working estate plan. For instance, what are the complexities of a Health Care Directive? Is a basic Power of Attorney enough, and how would you know that? What is the difference between a Will and a Trust? What is an "I love you" Will, and why can it fail those you love? You'll learn that estate plans aren't just for the wealthy, and how this common misbelief could cost you and your loved ones dearly. Victor Medina, an estate planning lawyer and Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) with years of experience practicing exclusively in estate planning and elder care, has written this guide to walk you through many of the elements of wills and estate plans, explaining in depth the concepts you need to know before you visit an attorney, or purchase a fill in the blanks template from the internet or your local office supply store. The author shares real life stories of clients and what they encountered because of cookie cutter "fill in the blank" estate plans, or no plans at all. He explains why, in this DIY (do it yourself) age, just as you wouldn't do your own heart surgery, you may want to think twice about doing your own will. He reveals that his law firm collects sizable fees correcting the legal problems brought on by bad documents, because a will or estate plan simply isn't a one-size-fits-all document. Read about some of the dirty little secrets in the estate planning industry, and what pitfalls to avoid, that could save you thousands of dollars in attorney fees. This guide explains all the legal costs of estate planning, and why some attorneys do not tell you about all of them up front. Victor Medina is a sought-after speaker on a wide range of estate planning and financial management topics. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, and quoted in US News and World Report. In this book, he will also arm you with some important lists: The four legal costs that exist in any estate plan. The elements that should be in your Power of Attorney, a complex legal document. The seven components of a comprehensive foundational estate plan. The six mistakes you want to avoid in choosing an attorney. Nineteen important questions you should ask a potential estate planning attorney. NEW Update for 2018-2019 Whether you're just starting out with young children, or you're getting ready for retirement, have more money or less money, it's never too late to protect your assets and your loved ones.This book will surely help you to understand the importance of getting and keeping your legal ducks in a row.