Resources

Books Ch Cherri Wheeler recently read: 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and The Shack by Paul Williams.

Financial and Estate Planning/Management Books recommended by Cassandra Thomas: Taxes 2009 for Dummies include 2008 tax laws. Estate & Trust Administration for Dummies; How to Settle an Estate; and The Executor’s Guide: Settling a Loved One’s Estate or Trust are excellent resources that help me in my duties as Executrix to my Mother’s estate.

While she had a will in place and was very organized in many ways, there was no way I was prepared for what being an executrix entailed. Reading (and re-reading and highlighting) these books helped me navigate my way. The courts can only provide so much guidance and attorneys can be costly if you don’t know what to ask from them.

These books have also caused me to think more seriously about my own estate planning and what I shall leave behind to loved ones, beneficiaries, charities, and yes the government (but you can minimize the tax pain by knowing how to maximize giving your assets to your heirs/beneficiaries. It’s not too early to begin planning.

As many of us complete our income tax paperwork, much of what we’re tracking affects your estate. I encourage you to have a will, living will and power of attorney in place. But I also encourage you to know what duties the person(s) you named as your executor/executrix must accomplish.

I’m glad I’ve retired because being an executrix is a “full-time” job that almost requires me to be in the city that my Mom was in to process her will through the courts. I know others who’ve handled estates and guardianship management long distance and it’s taken them a much longer road and with greater headaches. These are must read books.