Women today are entrepreneurs, successful professionals, savvy investors. They now control more than half of U.S. private wealth: by 2010, that will rise to 60%. On average, they outlive men by four to seven years. But too many women haven't taken control of what will happen to their wealth and their assets. If you don't plan, the government decides who acts for you when you're sick... who takes care of your estate when you die... who gets all of your hard-earned money. Everyone needs to plan ahead, but women face unique issues that are often ignored in 'typical' discussions of estate planning. That's where this book comes in. Written by one of the nation's leading financial and estate planners, Smart Women Protect Their Assets offers the specific guidance women need to safeguard their own futures, and take control of where their assets will go. Wynne A. Whitman offers intelligent, up-to-the-minute advice for the scenarios millions of women will come up against. You'll learn how to protect the children of a previous marriage... how to give gifts the right way... how to do the easy planning that can save you nearly a million dollars... how to get the living will and power of attorney you absolutely need... and much more. Quick, focused, engaging, and practical, this book is packed with easy-to-use checklists and 'what-to-do-next' advice: information women can act on, right now.