The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust: A ...

helpful read:
"The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust," written by Steven D. Fisher, is thorough and helpful to read when you are thinking about setting up a living will or a trust. The book is especially nice because it is fitting for all readers-- a novice like myself could pick up the book and easily understand the world of trusts by the end of the introduction. An estate planning lawyer could use the book as a handy reference. I enjoyed the book because it wasn't pressuring its readers to set up a trust. It was an unbiased point of view, telling the negatives and positives about trusts. It was honest about price and necessity of having a living trust, as they aren't for everyone. It even dedicates a chapter giving readers information to avoid probate besides living trusts.In an organized manner it shows the different parties to a trust, what types of trusts are available and the beneficiaries of a living trust. I also found several little chapters at the end helpful. Fisher went out of his way answer specific questions, like what happens after the grantor dies?, and how do you leave property to minor children?As a living trust beginner, I found the book very helpful because it explained things simply. The table of contents was also nice because it broke chapters into subcategories to make it easier to quickly find information you want. I give this book five stars out of five.

Very accessible primer for trust creation:
In economic times such as these, securing your assets is quickly turning from a good idea to absolutely crucial, as the odds are growing it can all go away between the taxman and rising expenses. One of the more viable options, aptly covered by Steven D. Fisher in his book "The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust" is to set that property into a living trust - a legal arrangement that sets property aside to be managed for another's benefit, with a good share of tax benefits connected. Trusts can be complex issues, so Fisher keeps the book in order by dividing the sections into concise and readable chapters that answer the main questions you may have if you want to open a trust. He gives the rundown on trusts for (among others) single people, couples, families, the especially wealthy and those who would like to give to charity, setting each one up so the relevant information is easy to find. The book concludes with genuinely practical information, such as a rundown on living trust scams and sample forms to give you a more personal picture of what a living trust agreement will look like. The strongest part of this book is its accessibility. He lets you know right away if this book is for you (for example, someone young and unmarried like me shouldn't consider a trust) and walks you through each of the appropriate terms with the acceptance that you may not know any of this to begin with. None of the text is bogged down in enough legalese to be inaccessible, and while some of the information seems excessive- an early section on taxes slows the book considerably - but none of it is ever beyond understanding. I would certainly not advise anyone to set up a trust without consulting an attorney, but "The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust" ensures you will know what you are talking about when you begin the process. Anyone who has a large amount of property and wants to make sure the government doesn't take the lion's share of it would be wise to review it, at the very least to see if a trust is the right idea.

Highly Informative!:
Rating: 4.3/ 5.0 Steven D. Fisher has expertly written about the need to creating your own living trust with great insight. With the amount of in-depth information covered, this book is appropriately called a "Guide to creating your own Living Trust". Steven D. Fisher has elaborated every factor involved in creating a living trust. He has comprehensively explained aspects such as the types of trusts, the need for a will and what type, how to make it easier for the trustees and heirs, the types of laws relating to living trusts and more. The sample forms he has provided are especially helpful. I liked the guidance and advice he presented from the trustee's point of view. I especially like the warning about scams involving living trusts, which I didn't even know existed. I felt I had to read some parts in the book a few times before I fully understood some aspects he was trying to explain but this could be because there are a lot of legalities involved in the process of creating a living trust to start with. Overall, "The Complete Guide to creating your own Living Trust" enriches the reader's knowledge about living trusts by expansively covering all the aspects and issues related to it.

An understandable guide about the "how tos" and why a living trust may be for you:
No matter what financial situation you are in today, or the size of your portfolio, this book provides all kinds of essential information to help you protect your interests and assets so they can be passed down to family members or favorite charities. Examples are sprinkled throughout many chapters to give the reader a better understanding of complex terms and legal situations. There are interesting historical facts regarding how living trusts evolved as well as the origins of probate court. The example forms located in the appendix of the book, was a feature I found particularly valuable. Form topics ranged from, a revocable living trust, to a health care power of attorney and advanced health care directive. The latter can be used to ensure your final medical wishes are carried out with minimal controversy. The subject matter is displayed in very simple to understand terms and the book can be used by anyone who is trying to determine if the living trust is the right tool for them, based on their individual needs. I liked this book because it not only presented an array of information on such important topics as related tax issues and types of available trusts, but it also explained the pros and cons of going the route of the living trust. The book also touches on two other unique items including same-sex partners and the division of assets, as well as what steps you should take if you are ever charged with administering a living trust.

An Excellent Resource to Learn About Living Trusts:
The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust is an excellent resource for anyone considering creating a living trust. It delineates which individuals would benefit from having such an instrument as part of their estate plan. The book thoughtfully explains both the why and the how-to of the living trust as well as alternative options to safeguarding your estate. It describes how to reduce taxes on the estate as well as create a simpler, quicker transfer of wealth to your intended heirs. Sample forms are included for ease of creating the trust yourself, if you so desire. Mr. Fisher even walks the reader through the process of settling a living trust for the future trustee. This book rates five out of five stars for taking complicated subject matter and making it very easy to understand. I consider it a must-have for anyone with an estate to leave for their heirs.