HONOLULU, HAWAII-Sterling & Tucker LLP, attorneys Judith Lee Sterling, Michelle H. Tucker, Richard J. Sakoda, & Michelle S. Hobus recently published their fourth estate planning book entitled "Estate Planning Basics - A Crash Course in Safeguarding Your Legacy." They have co-authored the book with nationally known estate planning attorneys Robert Armstrong and Sanford M. Fisch founders of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

"Our world is becoming more complicated by the day. This has never been truer than in tax and estate planning. With the ever-changing and confusing tax laws, it is difficult for consumers to know what type of planning is most appropriate for their family,' explains Judith Lee Sterling. "The book was created to take confusing planning concepts and make them easy to understand. Written in a practical question and answer format, it will give consumers greater knowledge and allow them to make better decisions that will impact their families for generations to come."

"A properly drafted estate plan is imperative, it allows families to protect their hard-earned assets and pass on their legacy. That legacy includes not only the financial portion but the often overlooked core values and behaviors that families want to pass on," explains Michelle H. Tucker. "However, the estate and tax laws are confusing for even lawyers and CPA's, let alone the average consumer."

"Estate planning is a joint effort in partnership between the client and the attorney," says Robert Armstrong, President and co-founder of the American Academy. "Frequently, this partnership must bring together team members such as financial planners, tax attorneys, and even health care providers. The best estate planners inform clients of the range of issues and the options for dealing with each of them. This book, written by us especially for the consumer, is a tool for doing so."

With close to 58 percent of families in the United States not having a basic Will in place, this informative book is greatly needed. "The absence of quality, easy-to-understand information on this topic for consumers led us to co-author this book with Sterling & Tucker," says American Academy CEO and co-founder Sanford M. Fisch. "We wanted to create a consumer-friendly reference book that takes complex issues surrounding estate and tax planning laws and breaks them down in uncomplicated terms. We feel this book accomplishes that and will help families be better informed about their planning options."

The American Academy is a national organization dedicated to promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership of attorneys with up-to-date research, educational materials, and other important resources. The Academy requires that each member attorney satisfies a minimum of 36 continuing legal education hours each month specifically in estate, tax, probate and elder law subjects. The Academy has been recognized by Money Magazine and Suze Orman in her book, 9 Steps to Financial Freedom.

The law firm of Sterling & Tucker believes strongly in educating families and felt it was important that they supplement their existing educational material with this new book. Sterling & Tucker LLP devotes its practice to estate planning and elder law planning matters and has helped thousands of families meet their long-term estate and financial goals. For pricing and/or a copy of this book, please visit our website at www.sterlingandtucker.com.

For more information please contact the office of Sterling & Tucker at 820 Mililani Street, 4th Floor Honolulu, HI 96813 at (808) 531-5391 Ext. 356 on neighbor islands at (800) 807-3820 Ext. 356. Or you may visit our websites at www.sterlingandtucker.com, www.hawaiielderlaw.com.