Women & Money: A Practical Guide To Estate Planning (Volume 0)

Too often, women ignore the state of their financial affairs and/or depend on others in their lives to keep them in order. It is only too late that they (or their dependents) realize the significance of having their affairs in order not only in case of untimely death, but with increasing life spans and advances in medical care, in case of incapacity from illness or dementia. Annino, with 20 plus years of experience in estate planning, offers a book that explains, step by step and across many different living situations, why being prepared is necessary and how to determine your specific wants and needs in order to plan appropriately.

In my 25 years as an estate planning attorney I have observed that most women have the instinct to make sure that everyone else- spouse, partner, children, parents are well taken care of and forget what the flight attendant says to all passengers every time a plane is about to take off - if you are traveling with a small child and the barometric pressure changes in the cabin take that oxygen mask and put it over your own face first. It is only when you take that mask and protect yourself that you will have the strength to protect the child. In life that is true too. Most women in this country will inherit twice - once from their parents and once from their husbands. Women must pick up the keys to the kingdom and understand that it is their obligation to protect themselves. Make sure you know what will happen if your partner/spouse/signficant other dies or becomes disabled. As you evolve through the phases of life -single, married, divorced, widowed, remarried, focus on what you need to do to protect yourself in that phase and understand that continuing to plan is important. It is my hope that reading this book will educate and empower you to act and protect yourself, your family and those that you love.