Tag: Probate

Readers say it best: “Very informative.” “Saved me a lot of money and headaches!” “Recommend it for everyone who has to plan estates for their elderly parents” The misconceptions surrounding the last will and testament need to be put to rest: Wills benefit lawyers. Trusts benefit you. Period. Too often lawyers sell wills to clients only to sit back and wait to sell their probate services to their client’ s heirs. Modern estate planning should utilize the Living Trust as the effective, efficient, and inexpensive alternative to a will. Living Trusts for Everyone: Why a Will is Not the Way to Avoid Probate, Protect Heirs, and Settle Estates explains why wills are not the best way to handle an estate and details the many advantages trusts have over wills in not only eliminating probate, but protecting your assets for your heirs. Anyone with minor children, disabled beneficiaries, blended families, or spendthrift heirs must have a trust to be sure the assets left behind are put to good use, and that your intentions are carried out. Lawyers may have vested interests in perpetuating the probate system, but this book will explain why legal services are not needed to do the clerical work in settling a trust after death. No legal jargon or confusing double-speak, just specific step-by-step instructions and sample form letters to settle a trust are included to take the mystery out of the process. This is not a do-it-yourself book and it doesn’t try to cram every type of trust onto its pages. Living Trusts for Everyone explains in specific terms what benefit a trust will have for you and gives you the tools to settle a loved one’s trust with no lawyers and no expense. For those who already… Read More

Using a true and flavorful narrative, this book captures the elder financial abuse experiences of an elderly woman – from the day of her rescue through seven months of her recovery. A woman (Sharonita) befriended Diedre nearly eight years ago; and in a short period of time, began taking full advantage of Diedre. To gain greater access to Diedre’s finances, Sharonita encouraged Diedre to rent a two-bedroom apartment with her daughter, who was 40 years younger than Diedre. Within one year residing in this property, with the daughter who also worked at a pharmaceutical company, Diedre’s memory began to dwindle. She was an emotional wreck and was in significant financial debt. Prior to this newfound friendship, Diedre maintained more than $70,000 in her Wells Fargo checking and savings accounts. By the time of her rescue, Diedre had $500. There were all sorts of large cash withdrawals, personal loans, and credit cards used for this woman, her family and anyone else’s benefit, as they saw fit. Diedre was rescued by a former teacher she met and worked with when she was a school principal in Plainfield, New Jersey, more than two decades ago. They always kept in touch and Lynette knew something was not right. How could a former assistant superintendent, now retired with her full pension, and still an education consultant, not have enough money to cover her bills? After the rescue, much was uncovered, including some of Diedre’s own skeletons; and of course, the elder financial abuse. This book is a story of triumph and hope. The burden felt overwhelming at times and that was even with having Lynette as her advocate. Imagine if Diedre had to walk this alone? Would that even be possible? Diedre is now a… Read More