Special property rules for married people
Taking inventory of your property
Choosing the right will form
Making a fill-in-the-blanks will
Changing or revoking your will
Lawyers and doing your own legal research.
What a Will Can Do for You
How to Get the Most From This Book
What Happens to Your Property After You Die
Special Property Rules for Married People
Community Property States
If You Move to Another State
Taking Inventory of Your Property
List and Describe Your Property (Column 1)
State How Your Property Is Owned (Column 2)
List Your Percentage of Shared Property (Column 3)
Estimate the Net Value of Your Property (Column 4)
Putting Restrictions on Beneficiaries
Deciding How to Leave Your Property
Naming Beneficiaries to Share Gifts
Naming Alternate Beneficiaries
Naming Residuary Beneficiaries
Using the Beneficiary Worksheet
Property You No Longer Own at Your Death
Responsibilities of an Executor
How to Choose Your Executor
Naming a Successor Executor
Naming an Executor for Another State
Providing for Your Minor Children
Custody of Your Minor Child
Management of Your Children's Property
How to Use the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act in Your Will
How to Create a Family Pot Trust or Child's Trust
Choosing a Property Guardian
Leaving Property to the Children of Others
When to Bother About Last Debts and Taxes
Who Pays Debts After Your Death?
Choosing Specific Assets to Pay Debts
State and Federal Estate Taxes
Choosing the Right Will Form
What You Can Accomplish With a Basic Will
After You've Prepared Your Will
Making a Fill-in-the-Blanks Will
Sample Filled-in Basic Will
Preparing Your Final Will
Signing and Witnessing Your Will
"Self-Proving" Wills: Using a Notary Public
After Your Will Is Completed
Changing or Revoking Your Will
Revising Your Will or Revoking It
Making Simple Changes in Your Will by Codicil
Probate Avoidance Methods
Placing Controls on Property
Planning for Incapacity: Durable Powers of Attorney
Lawyers and Doing Your Own Legal Research