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Title : Understanding Living Trusts: How You Can Avoid Probate, Save Taxes and Enjoy Peace of Mind
Author : Vickie Schumacher
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : It keeps gettin' better all the time...
I've recently had the privilage to read this fifth installment about estate planning from Jim and Vickie Schumacher, and I can honestly say it's the best they've turned out yet. Ever since their first edition (originally titled A Will is not the Way), these two have been giving us clear and concise information about the estate planning world in everyday, conversational English. This tradition is continued in their newest edition. What makes the fifth edition a must have, however, is all the new information they've included. Five months ago, President Clinton signed the Taxpayers Relief Act of 1997, seriously changing the "rules" on estate and capital gains taxes. Not only have the Schumacher's already incorporated this new information into their book and translated it from Washington's "legelese" into English I can understand, they've even told me how these changes pratically apply to my estate planning situation. This alone would make the book worth buying, but when you couple it with the state-specific estate planning information they've included (as a direct response from reader's requests), you've got a real steal.

Title : The Self-help Guide to Managing Death and Probate: Manage the Legal and Financial Side of Death Yourself
Author : Gordon Bowley
Rating : 3 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Death Probate - Practical Comment
This book covers making executing/administering a will in England Wales (Note: This legal jurisdiction is important and unclear from the author's and amazon's description). As stated by others the pro-forma letters are useful. It is written in a style appropriate to its most common readers i.e. the recently bereaved, its easy to read and very inoffensive. Its good on probate wills, but weak on tax affairs (presumably to aid the books longevity).
I bought this book and found it useful when needing this knowledge.
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Title : Trusts (Nutshell S.)
Author : Angela Sydenham
Rating : 3 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Good, but needs updating due to the Third Party Rights Act
The Nutshell books are good revision aids, but it is not helpful when they do not keep up with the current position regarding the law.
The introduction of the Third Party Contract Rights Act has fundamental implications on this area of law. If it is being taught and examined upon, then the publisher needs to update this book.
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Title : Land Law (Nutshell S.)
Author : William Howarth
Rating : 3 Stars out of 5.
Summary : College of Law student
This book is extremely helpful for the basics of the subject. The case law is helpful as it provides all of the leading cases in the main study areas. Unfortunately, it doesn't cover the new Land Registration Act which is now a major part of the course. Other than that, the book is excellent for revision in those weeks before exams!
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Title : How to Settle an Estate: A Manual for Executors and Trustees
Author : Charles K. Plotnick
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : I'm buying it for my clients!
The best basic "how-to" guide I've seen for executors and administrators. Not "do-it-yourself" tear-out forms, just good, practical, up-to-date (in '98) advice. I'm sending complimentary copies to my executor and trustee clients (via Amazon.com, natch!)
ancestrycouk testament will online resources.
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