5 @ 55 The 5 essential legal documents you need by age 55

This brief primer on the life-planning documents needed as individuals age and confront health challenges, authored by attorneys Grimaldi and Joanne Seminara, of elder law firm Grimaldi & Yeung LLP, along with writer Pierre A. Lehu (coauthor, The Doctor Is In), explains wills, health care proxies, living wills, powers of attorney, and digital diaries. They avoid complicated legal terminology while discussing the purpose and application of each document. The decisions required in advance of the drafting are illustrated using true-to-life examples. Samples of each of the five documents appear in the appendix, and there is reliable information on the duties of trustees and executors. The inclusion of a section on digital-estate planning takes readers through the process of closing down electronic accounts and providing passwords and online identity information to an executor. -VERDICT This readable and practical summary will help those grappling with a life plan. The digital diary coverage highlights a modern problem not always considered in discussions, making this book especially valuable.-Joan Pedzich, formerly with Harris Beach PLLC, Pittsford, NY © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.