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A Very Simple Estate Planning Guide: That Goes Beyond Creating A Will

Having a Plan Is a Gift to Yourself and Others 

Do you want to get a will in place but aren’t sure how to begin? Have you wondered if you need a trust or other documents, what is probate, or what you need to know about taxes? Would you like to know what to do from start to finish?

This book simplifies estate planning and guides you in an easy-to-understand style. There are two parts: the first empowering you with knowledge and real life examples, and the second showing you how to use that knowledge to create what you need to cover all the aspects of estate planning that are important to you. You will learn about topics that can impact not only you and your loved ones while you are living, but also after you’re gone.

“Estate” simply defines your money and your property, no matter how much or how little. But estate planning is more than about end of life - it’s about quality of life and being prepared if you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated.

Preparing ahead gives you the power to protect what matters most to you and it takes a huge burden off your family. And since part of planning ahead includes organizing essential information for your loved ones, this book also provides you forms to record this information, as well as an Executor Guide to help the person who will eventually manage your estate.

Whether you’re new to estate planning or looking to refine your existing plan, this book will take you from start to finish to reach your goals, and it will do so in a way that makes it easy and encourages you throughout the process.

Reviews

Testimonials

“I love that Cheryl has done such a thorough job compiling all of this helpful information and put it in a manner that is easy to read! After hearing the stories of those who hadn't planned well, we should all be encouraged to take action and get a plan in place. Cheryl has provided clear steps and smart tips that your loved ones will benefit from.”

-Joyce Pereira, Lead Advisor, Sommers Financial Management

“Cheryl’s personable style of writing really helped me to grasp what it means to make a plan to move forward, as we enter our mid-30’s with kids and need to start this very important planning for our family.” - J.H. from Idaho

“Good planning is a gift both to yourself and your family, and that’s particularly true for health care decision-making. Guides like this that are easy to understand are a real help.” - Paul Malley, President, Aging with Dignity

“End-of-life planning can be daunting. It’s about making plans for your eventual death, which means confronting your mortality. Cheryl’s book is the easiest, least confrontive guide I have found that makes the process less intimidating. Holding your hand throughout, from defining the terms to a step-by-step blueprint for creating your unique individual end of life documents, her writing style is both knowledgeable and gentle, putting the reader immediately at ease and motivating action towards accomplishing the tasks necessary for a solid and complete end-of-life plan.” - Patricia Jauchler, End-of-Life Doula, On Bright Wings End-of-Life Services

“This is a must read for both the legal professional as well as the general public. Cheryl has taken a topic that would be of little interest except to the estate planning attorney and made it an interesting read for everyone. From the very beginning, when she uses the experiences of well-known celebrities to capture your attention, to the very end of the book, she writes in a manner that is understandable by using simple language and colorful illustrations. This book should be kept close at hand by both the legal professional as well as the general public, as a guide to a sound estate plan.” - Richard Funk, Attorney, Merrill O’Sullivan, LLP

“I appreciated Cheryl's chapter on State and Federal Taxes, as we get asked regularly about the taxes on gifts to children and grandchildren. This chapter would be useful to most people. As Cheryl noted, in order for medical expenses and tuition gifts to be tax-free they must be paid directly to the institution.”

-Blaine Butcher, Certified Financial Planner™, Sommers Financial Management

“Estate planning can seem intimidating and confusing. Cheryl uses plain language and real-life examples to guide you step-by-step to create a plan that’s right for you and your family, avoid major pitfalls, and ensure that it’s legally valid. Her book explains why everyone needs a plan for our final wishes and covers the practical things most of us forget to consider.” - Connie Chow, Founder, DailyCaring.com