What is Estate Planning?: A 75-year-old Elder Law Attorney Sounds Off!

By Gilbert Keith Murphy

This is not a DIY guidebook with forms to fill out; it is a tell-all, take-no-prisoners, whistle-blowing treatise on the subject of estate planning. With the advent of internet marketing coupled with the surge in population of senior citizens, marketeers have found a target-rich environment, i.e., my generation. As a general rule, seniors know very little about estate planning, and this fact makes them vulnerable to false claims and almost every slick sales gimmick imaginable. Have you ever heard that you need to avoid probate? Or that you need a living or family trust? Or that certain assets allow you to pass your wealth directly to your loved ones without the necessity of either a will or a trust? Or that you can plan your own estate in minutes with the help of forms and other material which you can purchase for as little as $99? This little book debunks those scare tactics/sales pitches and provides you with truthful information to put you on the right path. Who is spreading all this bad information? Companies offering to sell you DIY forms, videos, books, and other materials you can download in your computer or watch on your TV monitor.in your living room. Law firms and others who are anxious to sell you a 40-page living trust and explain for a fancy fee why you need something you don't really need. Your financial advisor who encourages you to move your money into stocks, bonds, and annuities which he will gladly manage for you. And your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and other well-meaning souls who have already drank the Kool-Aid. What is my motive for publishing this book? First, I enjoy writing and have self-published several books including two historical fiction novels, two memoirs, a collection of short stories, and a prior self-help book entitled "No Nursing Home for Me!" Secondly, I am tired of spending 1-2 hours explaining to client-after-client about how harmful and erroneous most of this well-dressed internet propaganda is. I will be giving a copy of this book to each of my elder law clients. Thirdly, this book is my soapbox for me to say loudly and publicly what needs to be said. Fourthly, I hope to generate some book sales and blow the royalties on more travel and exploration of South America. I don't want to be overly dramatic. There are many good attorneys, as well as brilliant and ethical financial planners (I know some personally), and other reputable people assisting the elderly. All internet advertising is not scam city; I buy things almost every day via the internet. And living trusts are sometimes needed in specific situations while problems can arise with probate if mistakes are made. This book is intended to challenge much of the information and beliefs floating around in the public domain about estate planning. This book is not intended to transport you to your destination, but hopefully it will help prepare you for the estate-planning journey. The good news is after all the potholes are filled, the trip will be easier, safer, and cheaper than you had expected.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CY1Q4J9C
• ISBN13: 9798884101081
• Release Date: March 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 101 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.7" x 0.2" x 7.4"