Great book. Estate planning is something we never seem to make time for, and when we do, oftentimes we just do it without real thought. This book really does and should make you think - it covers various scenarios of things that could happen and the dreadful repercussions that do happen if you have not planned properly. Maybe all the information can be found elsewhere - but it is fantastic to have it all in one place. The book is not overwhelming - it is just right for people who are wanting to do the right things to safeguard their families and estates, but are not sure what all the steps should be. I have a will and I thought I had covered all our bases along with my husband, but boy was I ever wrong. I have quite a few things to do to really safeguard our children, and one of those things we accomplished today - thanks to this book. Life is busy, life is complicated; we put off things we really should do, we also think we know all that needs to be done - but this book shows how wrong we are. The personal things that this book suggests to help your children should you no longer be here, is worth the purchase price alone. Do yourself and your children a favor, buy the book and put the things in place that will help you sleep better at night, knowing your children are safeguarded and that you have done all you could possibly do.

I didn't find this book helpful at all. This book touchs upon a very few issues of estate planning for kids, and not quite comprehensive. It just barely skims the surface, and usually concluding with nuiances that make sure you talk to your attorney. If I intended to talk to all those folks, I wouldn't waste my time reading this book in the first place. Most of what this book covers could be learned by snooping around the web - and in many cases you can learn more that way.

Now, I'm not a lawyer. Nor do I play one on TV.

I am, however, a parent who has two daughters she loves more than life itself.

You know what? Sometimes love is not enough. We can't just hug our kids and play with them and go to the beach and read books and do all that fun stuff we love to do.

We have to work to provide. We have to house, clothe, feed, and protect our children. One sphere where we've got to do this -- and one, quite frankly, that I suck at -- is in the legal arena.

That's why when the opportunity to read a review copy of Wear Clean Underwear: A Fast, Fun, Friendly and Essential Guide to Legal Planning For Busy Parents came up, I jumped at it. This is an area I don't know much about, and I wanted to fill the gaps in my knowledge.

Author Alexis Martin Neely delivered -- and then some. She brought up questions I'd never even thought about: what happens if the people you appoint as your kids guardians die? what happens if the guardian you appoint really doesn't want to be the guardian after all? what happens if you have people fighting over your kids? what happens if your kids are left without much in the way of financial resources when you step off this mortal coil?

Neely gets you thinking, first and foremost, and that's critical. Much of what you will read here is the same advice you'll find in estate planning guides -- but rendered comprehensible, in easy to read language. I understood this book -- I didn't feel stupid or poorly educated, trying to figure out what legal terms meant. Neely asks the questions we're all terrified to ask.

There's a choose your own adventure feel to the book: If you decide to do X, go to page 55 and see what happens. I liked this. The choices presented were straightforward: you're going to do X or Y, here's the consequences of both. Are the choices exhaustive? No, but she hit the most common ones, and I'd bet they'd answer 95% of most readers questions.

Neely also wins big bonus points for being cultural aware. Frankly, a lot of guides like this (and I've read a ton of the financial ones and I ghostwrite for Long Term Care insurance professionals) ignore the fact that we don't all live in heteronormative families. We're not all Mommy, Daddy, and 2.2 kids. Sometimes there's Mommy and Mommy. Sometimes there's just Dad. Sometimes there's Mom and Dad and Stepmom and Stepdad and the girlfriend no one talks about. Neely acknowledges this, respects this, and provides at least a starting point for those of us with non-traditional families -- and the assurance that the legal system can work for us too, if we're smart and proactive about it.

Alexis Martin Neely gives million dollar advice for the price of a paperback! Finally a guide for parents that don't want to spend a year dwelling on what "might" happen! In 10 minutes I had my guardianship papers DONE! This book saved me a ton of headaches and got me on the right track in a fun and non depressing way.

Alexis has a great, easy to read writing style that transforms complex subjects into everyday language. And her expertise shines throughout. I highly recommend this book to everyone who has kids and wants to make sure that they and you are protected.

I was a little skeptical reading it at first, thinking that it might be too heavy of a topic and filled with too much legal jargon, but I should have known better from the fun title, WearCleanUnderwear! This is a MUST read - quick, intelligent and to-the-point. Alexis sheds graphic light about the necessity of family wealth planning - in a down-to-earth, understandable way. The three parables were enlightening, even for those of us who have worked with her tools and system. She writes her stories elegantly, making them interesting and with options to skip around. I like the way the book folds into itself making it an easy and straightforward read. It is certainly a call-to-action.

This book really brings to life questions that are never really asked out loud. You can bet my husband and I will be sitting down to have a heart to heart regarding the hard truths as to what would we do should the unthinkable happen. Thank you for providing some valuable insight into the options available.

Alexis is a wonderful story teller, she captures your attention right on page one. A book that touches the heart on a deep level as she thoroughly explains the pros and cons of being prepared and what would happen when you are not prepared in all areas, especially when it pertains to your children. I highly recommend this book for parents as well as individuals with out children. The information presented in this book is valuable for everyone and is an easy read. By taking the time to read "Wear Clean Underwear" you will have the knowledge and tools to move forward in a proactive way.
Lisa Ann Bonfiglio