Book Description: This book is essential reading, whether you are tackling the subject for the first time or revising your plan to reflect changes in the law, your finances or your personal life. Written in plain English, Estate Planning Smarts is full of practical information about how to:Appoint someone to handle your finances in case you can't someday because of illness or disabilityProtect your spouse or partnerProvide for young or disabled children, and grandchildren tooPreserve retirement benefitsTransfer a family businessDesign a charitable legacy Shield assets from creditors.To-Do Lists after each chapter leave no excuses for procrastinators. A lawyer, award-winning journalist and dynamic speaker, the author is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and Forbes. She has also been interviewed as an expert by reporters from many different media outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, U.S. News & World Report, MarketWatch and CBS TV.