How to Settle an Estate

Description

The most complete and up-to-date estate-planning guide available

Thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest tax codes, the third edition of How to Settle an Estate is the essential step-by-step guide to lead readers through the complex and daunting process of settling an estate. In clear and practical lay terms, authors Charles K. Plotnick, L.L.B., and Stephan R. Leimberg, J.D., both experts in estate planning, provide readers with invaluable advice, including:

   •  How to raise cash for immediate estate expenses
   •  Dealing with insurance claims
   •  Knowing when to hire a lawyer, an accountant, and a stock broker
   •  Managing real estate
   •  Distributing assets
And much more…Preface
Introduction
1. The Personal Representative: A Job Description
2. The Selection Process
3. What an Executor Must Know About the Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying
4. How and When to Use Other Members of the Estate Team
5. Avoiding Fiduciary Liability
6. Pre-death Planning Techniques
7. Getting Organized
8. The Formal Appointment: Probating the Estate
9. Disclaimers
10. After Probate
11. Tangible Personal Property
12. Retirement Plans and Other Government and Fringe Benefits
13. Life Insurance
14. Cash, Bank Accounts, and Listed Securities
15. Real Estate
16. Investing Estate Assets
17. Handling a Family Business
18. Jointly Owned Property
19. Trusts and Guardianships
20. Debts and Expenses
21. State Death Taxes
22. The Federal Estate-Tax Return
23. Gift-Tax Returns
24. Estate’s Income-Tax Return
25. Decedent’s Final Income-Tax Return
26. Tax Elections
27. Valuation of Assets
28. Charitable Bequests
29. Anatomical Gifts
30. Distribution
31. The Duties of a Trustee

Appendix:
Executor’s Checklist
Power of Attorney
Living Will
Inventory After Probate
Executor’s Letter and Information Form
Checklist to Avoid Federal Estate-Tax Audit
Federal Estate-Tax Asset/Deduction Finder
Approval of Account, Release and Indemnification
Statement Regarding Anatomical Gifts
Trustee’s Checklist
Trust Receipt and Release
IRS Forms that May Be Useful
Glossary
Index
s

“A clearly-written guide for someone who just found out that he or she is executor or trustee of an estate. Factors to consider, questions to ask and checklists to consult may all add up to the authors’ laudable goal of ‘less billable hours with your attorney.’”—The Dallas Morning News
 
“Attorneys Plotnick and Leimberg have substantially updated their clear, comprehensive manual for executors and trustees of an estate… The new edition shines in its use of sample documents and checklists. It also addresses the psychological aspects of death and of being an executor… An excellent and handy book.”—Library JournalCharles K. Plotnick, L.L.B., is an attorney in Pennsylvania and specializes in estate planning. He is professor of estate planning at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Stephan R. Leimberg, J.D., is CEO of Leimberg Information Services, Inc., a provider of tax law commentary.US

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