Kiplinger's Estate Planning: The Complete Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Maximizing Your Legacy

If I don't have an estate plan, what will happen when I die? Can I plan my own estate, or should I work with an estate attorney? How can I make sure that my estate isn't whittled away by state and federal taxes?

In Kiplinger's Estate Planning, financial expert and attorney John Ventura offers straightforward guidance on all of the tools of estate planning, from wills, trusts, and custodial accounts to insurance, employee befits, and durable power of attorney for finance and health care.

In this easy-to-read guide, learn:

What you can and can't do with a will

How a living trust works

Your options for transferring assets to your spouse or partner

How to give your assets away while you are alive

How to use a durable power of attorney for health care -- and what will happen if you become incapacitated without one

Controlling your death with a living will

How to leave a personal legacy

How to complete the process on your own or work with an estate attorney