http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning-Sub/Federal/index.html LawInfo - Legal Resource Center offers free Estate Planning legal forms and free Estate Planning legal documents that is designed to help consumers and businesses resolve their legal issues http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning-Sub/Federal/does-it-make-sense-to-use-an-attorney-is-it-e.html Only an attorney who regularly practices in the fields of wills, trusts, probate and estate planning is able to provide you with really sound legal advice as you put your estate plan into place. Attorneys are subject to regulation by state bar organizations, many of which have continuing education requirements and mandatory liability insurance in case the lawyer makes a mistake. When you speak with an attorney, you can get answers to your questions ­­including how much it would cost. Often the expense incurred in retaining an attorney to prepare and help you put an estate plan into place is worth hundreds of times what you and your family would pay with no planning or poor planning. It would also avoid the financial and emotional nightmares that can occur with a poorly drafted (or improper) plan. Estate Planning FAQs Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:31:22 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning-Sub/Federal/what-about-books-on-estate-planning.html As you begin the process caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). There is a lot of information out there; while some of it is very good, some is misleading at best. There are many over­the counter guides to estate planning available at bookstores. Some are pretty decent, most are awful. If you are planning to do it yourself, be prepared to spend a fair amount of time on this project. Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning-Sub/Federal/what-is-estate-planning.html Estate planning is a process to consider alternatives for, to think through, and to set up legally effective arrangements that would meet your specific wishes if something happens to you or those you care about. Good estate planning is more than just a simple Will. Estate planning also typically minimizes potential taxes and fees, and sets up contingency planning to make sure your wishes regarding health care treatment are followed. On the financial side, a good estate plan coordinates what would happen with your home, your investments, your business, your life insurance, your employee benefits (such as a 401K plan), and other property in the event you became disabled or if you die. On the personal side, a good estate plan includes directions to carry out your wishes regarding health care matters, so that if you ever are unable to give the directions yourself, someone you select would do that for you, and know when you would want them to authorize heroic measures and when you would prefer they pull the plug. Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:06:42 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning-Sub/Federal/what-sorts-of-instructions-are-made-as-part-o.html An estate plan consists of one or more documents that set forth instructions. Some documents are used to control health care decisions, others control your property in the event of your incapacity, and still other documents will control the distribution of your property in the event of your death. Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning-Sub/Federal/when-should-i-start-my-estate-plan.html The only time that you can prepare and implement an estate plan is while you are alive and have legal capacity to enter into a contract. If you are unable to manage your own affairs or suffer from some other disability which affects your legal capacity, your estate plan may be effectively challenged by those who assert that you lacked capacity at the time the documents were created, that you were subjected to fraud, coercion or undue influence during the creation and implementation of your plan. Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/index.html Free Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:06 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Taxes/Federal/index.html Free Estate Taxes FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:06 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Guardianship/Federal/index.html Free Guardianship FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:06 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Power-of-Attorney-Estate-Planning/Federal/index.html Free Power of Attorney FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:06 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Probate-Estate-Planning/Federal/index.html Free Probate FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:06 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Trusts-Estate-Planning/Federal/index.html Free Trusts FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:06 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Wills-Estate-Planning/Federal/index.html Free Wills FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:06 GMT