Publisher's Synopsis
A Complete Estate Plan for Your Entire Family Quicken WillMaker & Trust 2024: Book & Online Software Kit is the easiest way to create your estate plan, whether you're just getting started or want to update your previous arrangements. With this book, you get access to powerful software that guides you through the process from beginning to end, giving you the practical and legal information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family. Quicken WillMaker is the original estate planning software created and updated regularly by Nolo's experts. Buying this book gives you access to the software. You can choose to make your estate plan online or using software downloaded to your computer. As you're making your estate plan, you'll use the book as a guide and legal manual. Included Documents: Wills. The heart of every estate plan is a will, also known as a last will and testament. This legal document puts you in control of who inherits your property and who would take care of your children if it were ever necessary. Without a will, state law determines these issues. Making a will rarely involves complicated legal rules. If you're like most people, you won't need a lawyer. With good do-it-yourself materials, it's simple and easy to make a will that takes care of basic concerns, such as leaving a home, investments, a small business, and personal items to your loved ones. Living Trusts. A revocable living trust, unlike a will, offers a fast, private, probate-free way to transfer one's property after death. Although a living trust is not a complete substitute for a will (it doesn't allow you to name a guardian for a child, for example), it can be a more efficient way to transfer property at death, especially large-ticket items such as a house. Transfer on Death Deeds. Transfer on death (TOD) deeds transfer property to your beneficiary when you die, without probate. Before your death, you still own the property, and you can revoke the deed (or make a new one) at any time. TOD deeds provide some of the best features of both wills and living trusts. Like living trusts, TOD deeds keep the property out of probate. Like wills, they are simple to make, revise, and revoke. So for many people, particularly those whose largest asset is their house, TOD deeds can replace the need for a living trust. (You'll still almost certainly need a will.) Financial Powers of Attorneys. A durable power of attorney ensures that someone you trust (called your "agent" or "attorney-in-fact") will be on hand to manage the many practical, financial tasks that will arise if you become incapacitated. Health Care Directives (Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney). Spare your loved ones difficult decisions by laying out your wishes for medical care and naming someone to carry out your instructions. Includes a health care power of attorney and a living will. Letters to Survivors. Use the Letter to Survivors to leave your loved ones detailed explanations about your decisions. You can also use your letter to leave some general thoughts about your life. Final Arrangements. Plan a funeral or other ceremony and ease the burden on your loved ones. Describe your preferences for burial, cremation, memorials, obituaries, and more. Download the software or make your documents online in your secure WillMaker customer account. Then follow the step-by-step interviews to create an estate plan that's tailored to your wishes and the laws of your state. You'll get detailed instructions on how to sign your documents and make them legal.Quicken WillMaker & Trust is reviewed year-round by Nolo's expert attorneys. The 2024 edition has a fresh new look and includes many important legal and technical improvements.Automatic updates keep your program current through 2024. *Documents reflect the laws of your state - estate planning documents are not valid in Canada, Louisiana, and US Territories.
