Most of us avoid estate planning, which in plain English means getting our affairs in order, until we face a life-changing event such as: The birth or adoption of a child; the diagnosis of an illness that threatens disability or death; a family member or close friend dies unexpectedly; a new marriage with one or both spouses having children from a previous marriage. And sometimes it's just because we're about to take a trip. I congratulate you because you've decided to take action rather than wait for a crisis or emergency. If you've made an appointment with an estate planning attorney or are about to make that appointment, this book will help you get the estate plan that meets your needs and objectives, not your attorney's needs and objectives. How do I know, because I've been an estate planning and probate attorney for 30 years. This book does NOT include fill-in-the-blank Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney or Guardianship forms. If you want a do-it-yourself estate plan this is not the book for you. In 30 years as an estate planning and probate attorney, I've seen only heartache and regret from the use of do-it-yourself legal forms. It almost always turns out to be the proverbial penny-wise and pound-foolish. My objective is to guide you, the Client, to an excellent Client experience and the estate plan that's best for you.
