Although Hollander uses the term 'cottage,' the principles of his book apply to any property that a family wants to retain, whether it is an Adirondack camp, an Upper Midwest cabin, a Western ranch, or beach home property on an ocean, lake, or river. Written for the vacation home owner but with information that also will be useful to attorneys and financial planners, the book engages the reader with stories of cottage 'wars' and planning gone awry. Narrative examples and easy-to-follow graphics illustrate the more technical aspects of succession planning for a vacation home. The book makes a complex problem understandable and offers methods to help keep a second home in the family for generations.

The second edition was published to acknowledge the addition of David S. Fry, Esq. as the editor and successor to the author's cottage law practice. Fry brings his years of experience as an attorney and fourth generation cottage owner to the book.