In Life After Death: A Legal and Practical Guide for Surviving Spouses, attorney Marilyn McWilliams details the steps to take in the event of a spouse’s death—including planning the funeral, handling probate and estate administration, re-acclimating to social life, and making financial plans for the future. She also discusses the key issues that should be a part of every couple’s estate plan. This book was written especially for widowed persons to help them deal with the legal, financial, and social aspects of life in the aftermath of a spouse’s death.

If you are faced with the death of your spouse, you will be called on to answer questions and make decisions during an already difficult time. This book will help you find answers to the tough questions:

• Advice for planning the funeral or memorial.
• Why you may need a lawyer.
• How a financial advisor can help you plan for the future.
• Details of the estate administration process.
• Survivor benefits that may be owed to you.
• The importance of your social network.

This compassionate and straightforward book is designed to help surviving spouses make better plans—and better decisions—in the case of this life-changing event.

Chapter 1: Planning the Funeral
Chapter 2: Early Days
Chapter 3: Getting Emotional Support
Chapter 4: Legal Assistance
Chapter 5: Getting Financial Advice
Chapter 6: Estate Administration
Chapter 7: Filing Claims for Survivor Benefits
Chapter 8: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Health Insurance
Chapter 9: Money, Budget, and Credit
Chapter 10: Vehicles
Chapter 11: Home Ownership and Change In Residence
Chapter 12: Children
Chapter 13: Starting, Resuming, or Changing Careers
Chapter 14: Investments
Chapter 15: Estate Planning
Chapter 16: Re-Entering Life

Concentrating primarily on estate planning and administration for estates of all sizes, Marilyn McWilliams advises individuals, families, and closely-held businesses in this complex arena. From creating revocable and irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts, residence trusts, and advising fiduciaries and trustees to acting as a trust administrator and incorporating life insurance, stock options, retirement programs, IRAs, 401(k) and profit sharing into estate plans, Marilyn’s guidance helps clients protect their heirs and closely-held companies to ensure smooth succession.

Marilyn’s expertise also includes special knowledge regarding estate planning as it affects those with long-term disabilities—for example, how to ensure the ability to inherit without losing other benefits. Involved in this specialized area for years, she co-authored an article on the subject of protecting the disabled person’s access to public benefits with special needs trusts.

In addition, Marilyn handles an array of business planning and transaction projects for both small and large businesses. Her experience includes determining the proper entity and setting up the business, as well as tax planning and legal structure. Marilyn’s work also extends to contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and the purchase and sale of assets.

Format: 7x10" Softcover
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 193
ISBN: 1-932779-12-4
Publisher: Bradford Publishing Co.