...In Loving Trust, the authors discuss various methods of estate planning (by estate planning, I'm talking about how you plan for the orderly disposition of your valuables after you die). They do a very good job, in my opinion, of laying out the basics concerning why you ought to make some sort of plan, and some of the preferred methods for doing so...The book goes over the advantages and disadvantages of wills vs. trusts, with a definite slant in favor of trusts. While I think trusts are a very good estate planning tool, I don't think they are absolutely right for everyone. You should read the book with the understanding that wills can still play an important role in planning how one's assets are distributed after death.
The book is not a do-it-yourself tome, either. Don't make MORE money for lawyers by trying to write a will and fouling it up - even after reading the book and making your choices, you'll need to consult with a an attorney and a professional tax planner before drawing up your estate planning documents.
If you want to understand how wills and trusts work, and you want it in plain English, this is the one to read.
