Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions about the book
What is The Dead Man’s Guide to Estate Planning about?
It’s a plain-English education in estate planning: 30 short chapters on wills, trusts, guardianship, Medicaid, probate, and asset protection, written by a practicing Missouri estate planning attorney. The premise is simple: if you die without a plan, your state already has one for you, and it’s probably not the one you want. The book shows you what the documents do, where families get hurt, and what to ask an attorney.
Who wrote the book?
Patrick Nolan, an estate planning attorney in Kirksville, Missouri and founder of Nolan Law Firm. He’s a Gulf War combat veteran of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and spent fifteen years as an award-winning investigative journalist before practicing law. He has helped hundreds of families avoid the legal battles that follow when planning is delayed. Full bio here.
Is the book only useful in Missouri?
No. The examples use Missouri law, but the principles cross state lines. A Transfer on Death Deed in Missouri is a Beneficiary Deed in Colorado; the names change, the strategy doesn’t. The introduction includes specific guidance for readers outside Missouri: read for the concepts, then take the questions to a local attorney. Read that introduction free.
Will this book teach me to write my own will or trust?
No, and that’s deliberate. Do-it-yourself templates fail on strict signature and witness rules, and a plan that fails when it’s needed is worse than no plan. The book’s goal is to make you an informed consumer: you’ll understand the tools, spot the traps, and walk into an attorney’s office knowing exactly what to ask for.
What happens if I die without a will?
Your state’s intestacy laws decide who inherits, who administers your estate, and who raises your minor children, without asking what you would have wanted. The book walks through what that process actually looks like for a family in probate court, and the direct moves that keep your property and your kids out of it.
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
It depends on your children, your assets, and how much probate you’re willing to put your family through; the book gives you the framework to tell which applies to you. Section 2 covers wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and special needs trusts in plain English, including when a trust is the wrong answer.
What legal documents does an 18-year-old need?
At 18, parents lose the automatic right to make medical or financial decisions for their child; a healthcare power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, and durable financial power of attorney close that gap. The chapter “Turning 18” explains each document and why hospitals and banks will stonewall a family that doesn’t have them.
Can a nursing home really take my house?
A nursing home doesn’t take your house directly, but a Medicaid spend-down can consume it if you never planned. Section 5 explains how Medicaid eligibility actually works, what the five-year look-back means, and the lawful strategies families use to shield a home before a long-term-care crisis arrives.
What formats is the book available in, and what does it cost?
Paperback ($24.99) and Kindle ($9.99), both on Amazon. The paperback is 154 pages, 6×9 inches, ISBN 978-1972155011, published by Chariton Media in February 2026. Buy the paperback or the Kindle edition.
Can I read part of it before buying?
Yes, two ways. The introduction is free on this site, no signup needed. And if you leave your email, you’ll get a complete chapter, “Estate Planning Myths That Trip Up Young Adults,” plus occasional notes from Patrick. One or two emails a month, unsubscribe anytime.
Is this legal advice?
No. The book and this website are education, not legal advice, and reading them doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. Estate planning is highly individual; use the book to get informed, then have a licensed attorney in your state build the plan. Missouri families can reach Patrick’s practice at nemolegal.com.