The Dead Man’s Guide to Estate Planning
An Attorney’s Field Manual for Protecting Your Family
Most people don’t plan for what happens after they die. Not because they don’t care—because nobody made it make sense. This book fixes that.
Thirty chapters on wills, trusts, guardianship, Medicaid, probate, and asset protection—written by an estate planning attorney who’s watched families torn apart by the plans they never made. This isn’t a DIY kit. It’s the education that turns you into an informed client who asks better questions and makes faster decisions.
Who This Book Is For
The questions families ask are the same everywhere. “What happens to my kids if I die?” “How do I keep my ex-spouse from getting my child’s inheritance?” “Will the nursing home take everything I’ve built?” The answers follow the same principles whether you’re in Missouri, Montana, or Massachusetts.
Guardianship decisions, inheritance protection, and what actually happens if you don’t have a plan when your kids need one most.
Why a will alone isn’t enough, how trusts protect your company from personal legal problems, and succession planning that works.
Medicaid planning, shielding your home from nursing home spend-down, and the difference between Medicaid planning and estate planning.
What changes at 18, the documents your college student needs, and why HIPAA authorizations matter more than you think.
If estate planning makes your eyes glaze over, this book was written for you. Plain English, no jargon, no judgment.
Read for the concepts, not the specifics. The strategies are universal—take them to your local attorney as a conversation guide.
What’s Inside: 30 Chapters Across 7 Sections
Introduction: Estate Planning Principles That Cross State Lines
Section 1: Why Estate Planning Matters
Estate Planning Myths That Trip Up Young Adults
Estate Planning: An Act of Love
Section 2: Core Documents
Why a Trust for Your Child Should Mature with Your Child
Irrevocable Trusts: Real-World Guide
Revocable Living Trusts: The Practical Guide
Wills: The Real Rules for Making Yours Count
Special Needs Trusts: How to Protect a Loved One’s Future
If You Leave a Child’s Inheritance Without a Trust
Section 3: Life Stages
Estate Planning: How It Works for New Parents Without a Will
Turning 18: The Real Consequences—And the Legal Papers You Need
Estate Planning for Entrepreneurs: Keeping Your Company, and Your Family, on Solid Ground
Why Business Owners Can’t Rely on a Will Alone
Estate Planning When You Have Young Kids: Getting Ahead of Probate
Section 4: Guardianship for Minor Children
Naming a Guardian: The Legal Gaps You’ll Wish You’d Closed
Understanding Guardianship
If You Don’t Plan: What Happens to Your Children
Why Estate Planning Can’t Wait Until Kids Are Older
Section 5: Medicaid & Long-Term Care Planning
State of Missouri Medicaid Office
How to Shield Your Home From Nursing Home Spend-Down
Medicaid Planning vs. Estate Planning: What Actually Matters
Estate Planning When Long-Term Care Is on the Horizon
Section 6: Probate & Asset Transfer
Probate Court: What You Need to Know
How Long Probate Really Takes
How to Steer Clear of Probate: Direct Moves to Safeguard What You’ve Built
Section 7: Special Topics
Why You Plan Asset Protection Before Trouble Finds You
Plus: Glossary of Estate Planning Terms • Conclusion: What Happens Next
About the Author
Patrick Nolan is an estate planning attorney and founder of Nolan Law Firm in Kirksville, Missouri. A veteran of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and former award-winning reporter, he brings a systematic, no-nonsense approach to helping families protect what they’ve built.
Patrick specializes in preventative law—the work you do before problems arrive—and has built a practice around flat-fee estate planning rather than billable hours. His approach combines military discipline, journalistic clarity, and a deep skepticism of overcomplicated solutions that lawyers love but clients can’t use.
He publishes ongoing legal education through PatTalksLaw on YouTube and at nemolegal.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this book only for people in Missouri?
No. The book is written by a Missouri attorney and uses Missouri law for specific examples, but the core principles—how trusts work, what guardianship means, why probate matters—apply in every state. If you live outside Missouri, read for the concepts and use the questions raised as a conversation guide with your local attorney.
Can I use this book to create my own estate plan?
This book is not a DIY kit. It’s designed to make you an informed client who asks better questions and makes faster decisions when you sit down with an attorney. Estate planning is highly individual—you still need a lawyer to implement a plan tailored to your situation.
What if I don’t have a lot of assets?
Estate planning isn’t just about money. If you have children, a home, a retirement account, or even just strong opinions about who makes medical decisions for you—you need a plan. The book covers situations at every asset level.
Do I need to read the whole thing?
No. The book is organized into seven sections so you can go straight to what matters most to you. Parents of young kids can start with Sections 3 and 4. Families dealing with aging parents should start with Section 5. Business owners should read Section 3. Or start at the beginning—it’s written to hold your attention either way.
What makes this different from other estate planning books?
Most estate planning books are written by financial advisors selling products or by attorneys writing for other attorneys. This one is written by a practicing estate planning attorney, for the families who actually need the plans. Plain English, real scenarios, no sales pitch.
I’m in Missouri—can Patrick handle my estate plan?
Yes. If you’re in Missouri and ready to move forward after reading the book, contact Nolan Law Firm or call 660.956.4502 to schedule a consultation.
Ready to Protect Your Family?
The Dead Man’s Guide to Estate Planning is available now on Amazon in Kindle and paperback. If you’re in Missouri and ready to act, we can help.
