
How to Avoid Probate for Everyone
Protecting Your Estate for Your Loved Ones
Ronald Farrington Sharp
- 192 Pages
- April 7, 2020
- ISBN: 9781621537304
- Imprint: Allworth Press
- Trim Size: 5.5in x 8.25in x 0in
Description
Learn how to prepare your estate and avoid costly mistakes
Want to avoid probate? Gleaned from his forty-four years as an estate attorney, Sharp describes the probate process and the many reasons why it should be your last resort in estate settlement methods in How to Avoid Probate for Everyone. Living trusts are important, but there are many alternatives to using a living trust for probate avoidance. These alternatives are explained step-by-step as Sharp delves into the details. Examples of such approaches include:
- While state laws vary, most allow for expedited procedures for low-value estates without having to create a trust.
- There are a dozen different ways of leaving assets to heirs automatically at death.
- Special types of deeds allow you to keep control of your real estate during lifetime yet transfer it to heirs automatically at death.
- There are several ways of titling vehicles that allow heirs to get them without court procedures.
- Beneficiary designations on bank and investment accounts keep them out of your probate estate.
- Joint ownership of accounts and real estate can solve inheritance problems.
- Common myths and misconceptions about estates and probate are debunked.
Authors
Ronald Farrington Sharp, Esquire, has practiced family and estate law since 1975 after attending the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law Schools. He has personally prepared over three thousand trusts and is the author of Living Trusts for Everyone and Winning the Divorce War (both from Allworth Press), as well as No Regrets, No Remorse (Poisoned Pen Press). An award-winning mystery writer and sculptor, Sharp is married to the artist Susannah Keith and has three children and three terrific granddaughters. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Reviews
“A very good book, easy to read. It does what it says and does it well, while remaining easily accessible and readable by all. Sharp has translated ‘lawyerspeak’ to everyday common language that we can all understand.” —Terry Bertram, Esq., Legacy Law, PLLC, LegacyLaw.com
“Ronald Sharp takes what can be a confusing topic for many people and provides clear explanations about how to approach this important tax—and family—topic.” —Pia Bennett, CFP, financial planner, Select Financial Services Group, Inc.
“A concise and easy-to-understand guide to probate avoidance that includes more than just living trusts. Nearly everyone can use one or more of these easy-to-use techniques to pass on their estates with no court involvement and little cost. Read this before you see your attorney. Highly recommended.” —Laury Weiner, CPA, CFP, Weiner Financial Group, LLC
related titles
Estate Planning from the Heart for Everyone
How to Understand Wills and Trusts, Avoid Family Conflicts, and Simplify Your Estate
by Ronald Farrington Sharp
Settling Estates for Everyone
A Practical Guide and Action Plan to Handle Assets, Benefits, Taxes, Debts, Minors, and Much More
by Ronald Farrington Sharp
Living Trusts for Everyone
Why a Will Is Not the Way to Avoid Probate, Protect Heirs, and Settle Estates (Second Edition)
by Ronald Farrington Sharp