Want to get your financial future in order?
Have you been putting off writing a will, setting up trusts, and protecting your assets? You're not alone. According to recent studies, 56% of American adults haven't created a will yet. But don’t worry – I've got you covered with our list of essential estate planning books that can help you take control of your wealth and finances.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking for advanced advice on estate planning, these books have the answers! Our carefully curated selection is full of easy-to-understand information that will help simplify this complicated process so you can quickly set up your perfect financial plan.
Check out our range of essential estate planning books now and get started building a bright financial future today!+
How I Choose
Estate planning can be a confusing and daunting task.
It's hard to know where to start and who to trust. There are so many books on the market, and it's difficult to know which one is right for you.
I take my research seriously when it comes to estate planning, and I think you should too. That's why I've compiled a list of the best books on the subject, based on my own personal research and reading countless reviews. These books are up-to-date with the latest government regulations and legal developments, and written by some of the most reputable authors in the field.
Why do I Love It?
One of the reasons I love "A Gift For The Future: Conversations About Estate Planning" is because of its unique approach to estate planning. The book, which includes inspiring conversations between her and estate attorneys, provides a realistic look at the emotions and considerations that go into planning for one’s financial future. In addition, the book covers complex topics like guardianship, asset protection, and more in plain English—making it easy to understand even if you don't have a background in financial planning. With Markus' engaging style, this book is a must-have guide for anyone who wants to make informed decisions about their legacy.
What you should know
This book offers an insightful look at the importance of financial planning and how it affects individuals, their families, and future generations. In addition, the book covers topics like guardianship, asset protection, and estate tax laws in an informative yet easy-to-understand way. Additionally, Markus doesn't just provide the what but also goes into the why behind the decisions you make when planning your legacy. With this book as your guide, you can rest assured that you understand all of the legalities surrounding your estate plan.
I love the book because, In it, attorney and certified financial planner Pamela Maass Garrett outlines a step-by-step approach for parents to create an estate plan that considers the unique and ever-changing needs of their family. This book provides invaluable guidance on how to implement legal documents tailored to suit individual needs related to guardianship, health care directives, and more. This book covers all bases necessary for a spacious estate plan that can be adapted as your family’s needs evolve. Whether you are looking to prepare yourself or just get acquainted with the process itself, this book will help you create a safe and secure future for your children.
What you should know
"Legally Ever After" is an informative guide that dives deep into estate planning as it pertains specifically to families with children. This book breaks down the process in an easy-to-understand way, providing instructions on how to create tailored wills and trust documents, select a guardian for your children in case of your passing, establish health care directives, manage investments, reduce probate costs, and much more. Additionally, readers are provided with resources such as checklists to keep track of their progress. With sound advice from attorney and certified financial planner Pamela Maass Garrett on topics such as assigning beneficiaries and selecting trustees, this book is perfect for any parent looking to create a secure future for their family.
Why do I Love it?
I absolutely love The Complete Family Office Handbook" because it provides such a comprehensive, practical guide to managing your family's wealth. It expertly covers topics ranging from planning and governance to organizational structure, best practices, investment strategies, technology, and much more. The book makes use of real-life examples and case studies to illustrate key points, so you can relate them to your own situation. Perhaps most valuable of all is the advice on building strong relationships between family members and advisors — something that is critical for successful wealth management over generations. In sum, this great book is an essential resource for anyone looking to manage their wealth in an organized and effective manner.
What you should know
The Complete Family Office Handbook is an essential read for anyone looking to manage complex family assets while navigating the often-murky waters of financial planning. It provides easy-to-understand guidance in the areas of establishing a family office, governance, investment strategy, setting up philanthropic efforts, succession planning, tax considerations, and finally insight into 'best practices in each of these areas. Written in plain language that demystifies industry terminology this book is a must-have resource for advisors who work with affluent families and those with above-average financial needs. Get your copy today and stay ahead on all the latest trends in financial planning for the ultra-wealthy!
Why do I Love It?
I love the book "Living Trusts for Everyone" because it provides clear instructions and guidance on how to create living trusts. It offers readers essential information about all aspects of estate planning – from the basics, such as setting up a trust, to deciding on trustees and beneficiaries, to selecting executors. The book includes helpful tips from experts in the field and provides detailed explanations of state laws that can affect you when it comes time to settle an estate. I've found this comprehensive and thorough guide invaluable in helping me understand the often complex and confusing process of creating living trusts that will protect my loved ones after I'm gone.
What you should know
Have you been wondering if a will is enough to ensure your heirs are cared for when you're gone? The answer may surprise you - but only if you read Ronald Farrington Sharp's book, Living Trusts for Everyone. In this book, Sharp explains in plain language why wills don't always provide what people think they do. He also covers all of the advantages that trusts have over wills - from avoiding probate fees to ensuring that assets are distributed to the intended recipients - and breaks down the process of creating a trust so readers can make informed decisions on behalf of their families. If you're looking for reliable advice about estate planning and asset protection, then Living Trusts for Everyone is the perfect source.
Why do I Love it?
I love the book "Retirement Planning Guidebook" because it provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help readers plan for and enjoy their retirement. It covers everything from budgeting to financial planning, from healthcare considerations to Social Security strategies, and includes valuable insights into the emotional aspects of going into retirement as well as estate planning. Throughout the book, Pfau advocates for active management and sound decision-making to make sure each reader achieves the most out of their retirement. For example, he points out that setting realistic expectations and being constantly aware of one’s finances are key elements in any successful retirement plan. He also identifies potential pitfalls that should be avoided, such as taking on too much debt or underestimating how long your assets will last. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to retire with confidence and security.
What you should know
Knowing how to plan and strategize for a successful retirement can be a complex and overwhelming task. Fortunately, Wade Pfau has put together an essential guidebook to navigate you through some of the key decisions in planning for retirement. Retirement Planning Guidebook offers up-to-date advice on how to approach budgeting, investments, winding down debt, and other important choices that come with planning for a secure and joyful retirement. With clear and easy-to-understand language, this helpful guidebook will leave you feeling confident about determining your ideal retirement plans.
Why do I Love It?
I absolutely love "The Complete Book of Wills, Estates & Trusts" because it offers comprehensive advice on how to navigate the complex terrain of wills, estates, and trusts, drawing on expertise from both an attorney and a CPA. From the book I have learned many essential aspects of estate planning like understanding taxes, setting up trusts, preparing legal documents, and choosing executors - information that can help save me thousands of dollars in both legal fees and taxes. This book is also unique because it includes information on digital assets and how to manage them after death or incapacity. With easy-to-understand explanations, helpful diagrams, checklists for each chapter, real-life examples, and valuable tips from experts this book has been the perfect guide throughout my estate planning journey.
What you should know
The Complete Book of Wills, Estates & Trusts offers readers expert advice that can help save thousands of dollars in costly legal fees and taxes. The book covers commonly asked questions ranging from what a will actually is and how it works to more complex concepts like forming a trust and determining which assets will incur the most taxes after death. With over 25 years of experience in estate planning services as well as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney experiences advising companies and individuals, Mr. Bove provides readers with reliable guidance on how to make important decisions regarding their estate without substantial financial losses.
Why do I Love it?
I love the book Executor's Guide for many reasons. It is written in an accessible and understandable way that makes it easy to digest even for those who have never dealt with the settling of a loved one’s estate before. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the process, from beginning to end, offering helpful examples, straightforward explanations of specific terms and concepts, and guidance on how executors should protect their own interests. It also includes step-by-step checklists, sample forms and letters, and commentary about federal tax law changes that make it easy for individuals to navigate the complexities of probate law. Additionally, I appreciate that this book covers topics such as digital estate planning that are often overlooked when dealing with these types of situations. This book is truly an invaluable resource for anyone looking to settle a loved one’s estate or trust in a timely manner while ensuring their rights are shielded each step along the way.
What you should know
The Executor's Guide provides an essential resource for anyone taking on the role of executor of a will and settling the estate of a deceased loved one. The book includes step-by-step instructions to help you manage the process from start to finish, as well as explanations of taxes, legal requirements, and more. It also contains sample court forms, checklists, and other helpful tools to make sure everything is handled accurately and efficiently. The author is an experienced attorney who specializes in estate planning and law, so readers can trust her advice about navigating this complicated process. With clear guidance on all aspects of settling an estate or trust, this book makes it easy for executors to understand their roles and duties as they work through this demanding responsibility.
Why do I Love it?
I love the book "Get Your Ducks in a Row" because it is an invaluable resource for baby boomers looking to better plan their estates. It covers all of the essential topics from wills and trusts, to digital assets, long-term care insurance, and taxes, in an easy-to-understand way. The author provides useful checklists on each topic so that readers can track their progress and make sure they haven't missed anything important. Additionally, throughout the book, there are inspiring stories about people who have made great strides in planning for the future by taking advantage of the information provided here. This is an amazing book that has given me peace of mind knowing that I am doing my part when it comes to estate planning.
What you should know
Get Your Ducks in a Row is a comprehensive guide to estate planning for baby boomers. Margolis provides an easy-to-understand overview of why and how estate planning is important, while also providing useful advice and strategies on how to create a successful estate plan. The book covers topics such as wills, trusts, taxes, probate, retirement plans, and long-term care options for aging boomers. It includes real-life examples from the average person's perspective so readers can gain insight and understanding into the estate planning process. Additionally, Margolis offers sound direction on how to ensure your wishes are carried out upon death as well as how to set up lasting powers of attorney. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out with your estate plan, Get Your Ducks in a Row will provide you with the knowledge and security you need for peace of mind.
Why do I Love it?
I love the book JK Lasser's New Rules for Estate, Retirement, and Tax Planning because it provides detailed strategies and tax laws that help readers plan for their future with confidence. It covers all the important elements of estate planning, retirement planning, and taxation from start to finish. With simple language and real-world examples, this book helps readers understand how to create an effective estate plan that protects their assets and minimizes their taxes. Additionally, the authors have included key strategies for protecting assets from creditors, as well as advice on asset transfers during life and at death. In short, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in ensuring their financial security during retirement or beyond.
What you should know
JK Lasser's New Rules for Estate, Retirement, and Tax Planning is an essential guide for anyone looking to plan for the future. Authored by esteemed advisors Stewart H. Welch III and J. Winston Busby, this book provides a comprehensive overview of financial planning topics such as estate laws, retirement investments, and tax strategies. It offers both traditional advice from expert professionals and creative ideas from unconventional thinkers as well, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to stay ahead of the curve in today's ever-changing financial landscape. Moreover, the book is written in easily understandable language that can be applied to any level of risk tolerance or investment experience. With this valuable book as a starting point, readers can create an effective strategy that will serve them well throughout their lifetime.
Why do I Love it?
I love this book because it makes the planning process easier with its simple and straightforward approach. It provides guidance on various estate planning topics, from preparing a will and other legal documents to understanding criteria for gifting and inheritance taxes. Additionally, it highlights essential tips for better organization, such as keeping all details necessary for wills up to date with any changes in contact information or financial holdings. With the help of this guide, you can ensure that your last wishes are followed and your legacy is secure.
What you should know
"Estate Planning Essentials" by EstateBee is a must-have book for anyone looking to make sense of the complexities of estate planning. Its thoughtful and easy-to-follow approach simplifies the process of understanding and managing the legal, financial, and personal aspects of estate planning. It covers essential topics such as selecting an executor, creating a will, avoiding pitfalls in probate, gifting assets to family members and charities, trusts, tax implications, insurance considerations, and more. This comprehensive guide offers helpful advice on how to protect one’s assets from creditors or lawsuits while also providing ideas to help elders stay independent for as long as possible during retirement. Best of all, it provides clear explanations about difficult concepts that can be easily understood by readers regardless of their prior knowledge of the subject matter. Once your estate plan is in place, you can rest assured that you have taken steps to ensure the future security of your family and loved ones.
The right book for you!
When it comes to estate planning or end-of-life planning, putting together financial plans and final wishes can be daunting. There is no book that has all the answers. However, the best books cover all the major topics like taxation, revising and updating plans, advice from estate planners, and practical examples. From the American Bar Association to your own estate, readers can find new practical advice in a revised and updated edition of the best estate planning books. Especially on topics that interest you most such as having a financial legacy, final wishes, and tax records. No matter what a reader's needs are regarding estate planning, they can rely on these resources to provide comprehensive guidance and practical examples.
Ultimately, every person's overall estate planning journey is unique. Depending on your current situation and family dynamics, you may need to consult an attorney or financial advisor to decide what will make the most sense for you and your family. The books we discussed in this post are all great starting points for doing your own research into the different aspects of estate planning. No matter your level of financial literacy, you can use them to learn how to create a comprehensive plan that will address any eventuality. It's important to start early and stay ahead of the game so that everyone can feel secure if anything ever were to happen. Estate planning isn't just about securing one's assets, it's also about making sure that when the time comes, your family will be taken care of financially with minimal hassle. Reading up on these books is a proactive step towards providing peace of mind for yourself and those around you.