The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust

Book Description
If you're faced with wrapping up the affairs of a loved one who has died, you may feel overwhelmed by all the work ahead -- especially when you're grieving. But with the right legal and practical information, you can do it. The Executor's Guide will show you how to get organized, get the help you need and make progress one step at a time. Let it help you navigate an unfamiliar land of legal procedures and terminology. It explains: *preparing for the job of executor or trustee *the first steps to take *claiming life insurance, Social Security and other benefits *making sense of a will *what to do if there is no will *how to determine whether or not probate is necessary *caring for children and their property *taxes *an overview of probate court proceedings *dealing with family members *handling trusts *looking up your state's laws *working with lawyers, appraisers, accountants and other experts


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"The Executor's Guide covers the legal and financial matters that crop up after death, helping people who have to settle estates and trusts through a confusing time. In particular, it covers: · becoming an executor · the first steps of settling an estate · claiming benefits · making sense of a will · what to do if there is no will · caring for children · taxes · dealing with probate · handling trusts There are about 2.5 million deaths every year in the United States. In every instance, someone must step in and wrap up the financial affairs of the person who has died. This book will appeal to executors; trustees, and beneficiaries who are unhappy with how the executor is handling the estate. It's a difficult time when a loved one dies. Many people don't have a clue about what to do and whether or not to hire a lawyer and want some guidance. This book shows how to transfer lots of different kinds of property without probate and without lawyers, saving time and money."


About the Author
Mary Randolph earned her law degree from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of Deeds for California Real Estate, 8 Ways to Avoid Probate, Dog Law, and The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust, and coauthor of the legal manual for Quicken WillMaker Plus. She has been a guest on The Today Show and has been interviewed by many publications, including The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more. Mary Randolph lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.


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Randolph, who earned her law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, enlightens consumers on the probate process and all aspects of serving as the executor/trustee of a will. This senior Nolo editor provides Web and other resources, information on getting a lawyer when necessary, a glossary, and summary of states' laws. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


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