The law impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, yet we seldom stop to reflect on the tools, documents, and procedures that allow our society to function. Property and contracts, insurance and credit, taxes and estate planning: These issues may be intimidating, but getting on top of your legal affairs is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. The good news is that a few simple concepts, a little organization, and some step-by-step planning can help you get your legal life into the best shape possible.

If you're like many people, you may not have made the time to consider:

• Do you need a will, trust, power of attorney, or other estate planning tools?
• What kind of and how much insurance is a good investment?
• How should we prepare our finances and health care for retirement?
• What can we do to make end-of-life care and estate planning easy for our loved ones?

Tackling these issues doesn't have to be a major chore. Getting Your Legal House in Order gives you a practical, accessible, and encouraging look at what you need to do to secure your finances, your home, your health care, and your future. Taught by author and elder law attorney Sally Balch Hurme, these 18 eye-opening lectures offer an enjoyable and immensely satisfying foray into your legal affairs.

As you will quickly learn, the language of legal and financial procedures can be confusing - codicils and probate, power of attorney and advance directives, annuities and Medigap insurance - but Sally Hurme offers clear explanations and a blueprint for you to follow. For instance, something as simple as a letter of instruction can take the burden off your family and spell out what your wishes are for your personal property.

There's no substitute for having your own attorney, financial advisor, or accountant assessing your unique situation, but this course offers a captivating overview of personal legal issues, from identity theft to advance medical directives, and it should be required viewing for people of any age.