Book review: Living Trust Kit by Enodare

This book is a guide for preparing your own living trust. It is easy to read, it has rich content and is quite extensive. I am including a complete table of content at the end of this review so you can see exactly how extensive it is and what is covered.

Living trust is the most popular probate avoidance method. Probate is a an administrative process by which the assets of a deceased person are used to pay debts and distributed.  This book discuses not only living trusts but other alternatives. It also describes who does not need a living trust. It also goes over disadvantages of the living trusts. This information gives the reader a good background to make the right decision for their particular situation.

After the initial background, the book goes deeply into details: types of living trusts, state-specific information, very specific explanation about administration of the living trust.This book includes not only explanations but worksheets and forms. It also has line by line instructions on how to fill out the official forms.

I think this kit is useful whether you plan to go to a lawyer or do it yourself. Even if you go to the lawyer this book is helpful because, for example, it will help you organize your thoughts and explain the basics so the actual appointment would go faster. This book gives an unbiased explanation so you have the knowledge to make the right decisions.

Overall, I found this to be a very helpful book. Not only was it helpful with the forms, but it helped me organize my thoughts and served as a reminder of the things to think about.


You can find this book on Amazon by following this link.



Ali Julia review ★★★★★


PROBATE AND WHY PEOPLE TRY TO AVOID IT
Introduction to Probate   
Probate Avoidance Measures   
Pay-on-Death or Transfer-on-Death Accounts
Transfer-on-Death Securities   
Retirement Accounts   
Joint Accounts   
Custodial Accounts   
Savings Bonds   
Life Insurance Proceeds   
Joint Ownership of Property   
Lifetime Gifts   
Probate Free Transfers of Assets   
Transfer of Vehicles
   
REVOCABLE LIVING TRUSTS   
What Are Revocable Living Trusts?   
Advantages of Living Trusts   
Disadvantages of Living Trusts   
Types of Living Trust   
Living Trust for an Individual   
Living Trusts for Couples   
Conclusion

TRUSTEES AND SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES   
The Initial Trustee   
Appointing a Co-Trustee   
Successor Trustees   
Changing Trustees   
GIFTS AND BENEFICIARIES   
Types of Gifts under a Living Trust   
Specific Item Gifts   
Cash Gifts   
Gift of the Residuary Trust Estate   
What Is a Beneficiary?   
Types of Beneficiaries under a Living Trust   
Specific Gift Beneficiary   
Alternate Beneficiary   
Residuary Beneficiary   
Beneficiaries under a Shared Trust
Gifts to Spouses   
Community Property States   
Common Law States   

CHILDREN, GUARDIANS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Management of Children's Property   
Uniform Transfer to Minors' Act   
Child Sub-Trusts   
TRANSFERRING ASSETS TO YOUR LIVING TRUST   
Transfer of Assets   
What Assets should be put in Your Living Trust?   
Title to Assets Transferred to a Living Trust   
Transferring Property to Your Trust   
Real Estate   
Cars, Boats and Other Vehicles   
Cash Accounts    
United States Savings Bonds   
Broker Accounts   
Publicly Quoted Stocks and Bonds
Retirement Plans   
Other Property   

MAKING, AMENDING & REVOKING YOUR LIVING TRUST   
Making Your living Trust   
Reviewing Your Living Trust   
Amending Your Living Trust   
Transferring or Removing Property from Your Living Trust   
Revocation of Your Living Trust   

OTHER ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS REQUIRED   
Pour-Over Wills   

APPENDIX 1 - LIVING TRUST WORKSHEET   
APPENDIX 2 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING YOUR DOCUMENTS   
APPENDIX 3 - REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST DOCUMENTS   
APPENDIX 4 - MISCELLANEOUS CLAUSES FOR USE IN A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST AGREEMENT   
APPENDIX 5 - DEED OF ASSIGNMENT   
APPENDIX 6 - NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF A LIVING TRUST