Harner Legal Forms Plain-English Estate Planning Series

The Estate Planning Handbook for Beginners is a clear, plain-English guide for adults who want to understand estate planning, make thoughtful decisions, and take action with more confidence.

This book is designed for real life. It explains the core documents most people hear about but do not fully understand, including wills, revocable living trusts, financial powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, HIPAA authorizations, beneficiary designations, and asset titling. It also shows how those pieces work together so your plan makes sense as a whole.

Inside, listeners will find practical guidance on questions that matter most: Who should make financial or medical decisions if you cannot? Who should care for minor children? What happens if you do nothing? How do beneficiary forms and asset titles affect what passes at death? When does a simple will-centered plan make sense, and when may more planning be wise?

This handbook also covers important life situations, including planning for parents, couples, single adults, blended families, unmarried partners, business owners, and families with more complex concerns. It explains why organization, review, and follow-through matter, and it helps listeners see how to move from uncertainty to a plan they can actually use.

Inside this book, you will learn about:

• Wills, trusts, and the core estate planning documents most people need
• Financial and healthcare decision-making during illness or incapacity
• Guardian planning for minor children
• Beneficiary designations and asset titling
• Choosing the right people for important roles
• Organizing documents and information for loved ones
• When to review and update your plan
• DIY estate planning versus hiring a lawyer

The book also includes useful appendices, including checklists, inventories, document organizers, and review tools to help listeners put the information into action.