Practical how-to guide lists the steps to transfer an estate to the beneficiaries of wills, trusts, intestate (no will) estates, and Pay On Death accounts. This book is not a replacement for personalized legal, financial, or tax advice. Instead it offers the executor or trustee of a small to medium estate background information often not explained in detail by lawyers and accountants. Covers the complete process including: • Funeral plans • Tips for surviving probate • Relaxing news about estate tax • Help to avoid family fights while dividing personal possessions • Guide to shutting down active stock trading accounts • Suggestions for modern issues such as computers, frequent flyer miles, intellectual property • Productivity and management tips Readers also get bonus spreadsheets and letter templates to give the administrator a head start with: • Inventorying assets, personal possessions, liabilities • Writing letters to financial institutions and credit agencies • Tracking administrator expenses
The author, Jackie Ann Patterson, is an engineer, manager, and stock trader who acted as the “family administrator†for over a decade. She settled several estates and planned a few trusts. This book came about because of requests and many questions from family and friends about wills, trusts, probate, and estate tax.