Direction Memo(TM)

How to Write a Letter of Instructions for Your Estate Plan

Non-Fiction - Retirement
284 Pages
Reviewed on 02/08/2012
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Author Paul Caspersen shows his superior training as a financial planner in his "Direction Memo" which is a well-planned and executed workbook on how an individual should write out instructions for carrying out his/her estate. The author cites the need for writing out directions so one's survivors to know just what to do with a loved one's estate. It is like putting a desk together with directions as opposed to facing pieces of wood and wondering where they all fit. A "Direction Memo" is not a binding legal document but indicates who gets what stocks, who gets Aunt Bessie's teapot, and what creditors need payment. Family feuds and misspent funds will be avoided if the author's wise words and workbook are followed.

"Direction Memo" is a complicated but very well-written and organized text. Caspersen cautions anyone planning their estate to consider outstanding debts, the value of any owned real estate, location of personal property, family members' abilities and disabilities, how to create donations and legacies to organizations, and to put everything in writing. "Direction Memo" is intended for people with assets such as real estate, stocks, financial investments and life insurance policies. Caspersen cautions the reader to tell family members where important papers and things are located: in what drawers of what desk and, if in a safe deposit box, what bank and the location of the box's keys. There is even a section on planning one's funeral and obituary. Though not a book for the idly curious, "Direction Memo" is a highly valuable tool for estate planning and avoiding disasters after one's passing.