Customer Reviews (1)

HIGHLY RECOMENDED
I have found this book to be very useful.I would recomend it to anyone. ... Read more

Product Description
Power struggles are a common occurrence in everyday life, affecting individuals in every stage of life. Those involved in conflicts often have no idea how to resolve them. This book discusses the "hows" and "whys" of conflict and provides easy-to-use solutions for most situations, and its focus is on the role of emotion. According to the authors, conflict results from the way in which one views one's personal power, views largely influenced by personal emotions. The authors, therefore, begin by a close consideration of personal emotions. They offer ways to pinpoint emotions and understand how they bring about the classic roles of the conflict scenario: Victim, Persecutor, Instigator, and Rescuer. The authors examine how emotions can serve productive purposes and how they can be used to minimize and eliminate serious conflict. The text includes vignettes, anecdotes, personal inventories, illustrations, and concrete exercises. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great Read
I've struggled with a bunch of issues at work and I enjoyed this very much.Its well organized and the concepts are presented well.It was a pleasant surprise.

Very Helpful
I have read countless self-help books; some I have taken to heart and others I have not.This work I found to be very interesting and enlightened me in many ways. The author gives you some clearrevelations concerning conflicts that you will encounter in life; the emotions you will deal with and the why's of feeling as you feel.
He explains the concept of the 'power struggles' that we have within ourselves, and how important it is to work to understand them and make the necessary changes.
It is always hard to see ourselves as others see us, our flaws and weaknesses; but with understanding, comes the ability to change.

I enjoyed this work and plan on doing a little more study with this book and some self-examining.I think this book would profit all that take the time to read it and put into practice what is being told them.An interesting spin, not boring, but very insightful.
Shirley Johnson

A Textbook for Everyday Life Conflicts.
Written by a psychologist, it is in the form of a textbook with Objectives at the beginning of each section and Questions to ponder at the end.The various quotes preceding Objectives are a nice touch and the illustrations for the most part look like M&Ms, making me wonder why this book was in the library and not in schools.It would be more effective in a psychology classroom, of which I had a taste in 1960 at Troy State College in Alabama.

The two-page list of emotions was interesting and helpful.Emotions help to form relationships, experience growth, and evaluate our performance, as we move through the various stages of life.Emotions help us to understand ourselves and each other.Some potent ones are fear, guilt, loneliness, sadness, love, hate, distrust and shame.

Everyone feels all the same emotions.It's what we do with them and how we perceive them which sets us apart.We need to balance emotion with logic.Instead of responding in a reactive manner, proactive is preferred to settle a conflict.We often mistake arrogance for pride.

The goal of most power struggles is to win, at any cost!We feel threatened by the other person.We need to protect ourselves any way we can when we feel threatened.Thus, a power exchange occurs with both verbal and non-verbal ways.Silence (and withholding info, attention or affection) is the most effective communication tool of all.There must be emotional input in all conflicts.

When forming new relationships with people, it is necessary to resolve any conflict to develop open paths of communication.Doing it is hard, but then it is easy for open, honest dialogue throughout the relationship.It is best at the beginning to make sure the relationship is important to you.Don't discount the other person's perspective.

He says that "age, experience, maturity, and wisdom are all independent issues."He used actual cases to demonstrate his ideas and advice.Erik Fisher is a psychologist; his co-author, Steven Sharp, is a freelance and technical writer.Together, they simplified the exercises promoted to help the reader to understand his emotions and change them, if needed. Power conflicts are not an ego thing but basic philosophy of life on all levels.It's something we need to learn how to handle.This is a start.

Awesome tool at my fingertips!
It's such a great tool to have at my fingertips when trying to solve problems and understand people in my daily life, including my role in it. You don't have to read it chapter by chapter to finally get the information you need. You can find the section that your needing the advice on,read it, and the tools to help you are there. I look forward to more of your books! Thank you

Knowledge is Power
This is the first book that I've read which establishes the relationship between emotions, power, and conflict. The book is easy to read and understand, and there are many thought-provoking examples and a self-inventory at the end of each chapter, and I found these to be quite helpful.If a person wants to understand conflict, he/she must first understand his/her sense of power and the emotions that we feel motivated by.This book explains these things very well, and I highly recommend it to everyone. ... Read more

Product Description
A reappraisal of Wallace Stevens, presenting him as more a love poet than a metaphysical reductionist. Stevens' work is examined with regard to the tradition of eloquent, though quirkily independent, American writers; to speculative theology; and to the medieval models of Villon and Dante. ... Read more

Product Description
Funny and heartbreaking, American Jõb is the story of Everett Pick, an ordinary, decent man with a drinking problem that turns out to be the least of his worries. ... Read more

Product Description
An elite U.S. Army Ranger thrust 600 years into the future, Fragger Sparks is back in action facing enemies from without and within! ... Read more

Product Description
Fragger Sparks is a tough U.S. Army Ranger combat veteran. Fragger's faced and survived the toughest enemies on the planet. The problem is, he's no longer on present day Earth! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lead on buddy!
Well, I bought this book last month and I must say I really enjoyed it.I discovered it by accident when I came across the official website at fine-toon.com.
From the outset the action takes you into the far reaches of space and the future, and doesn't stop until the last page - and for that matter, it didn't stop there either - This is just the first book.
Any fan of Harry Harrison should buy this book, you wont be disappointed I promise.
Great characterization, great plot and great settings make this book well worth the read, and I'd definately recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Incorporates the idea of data abstraction as a programming technique. In fact, it takes as its central theme the idea that abstraction is a powerful technique for writing well-structured computer programs. Written specifically for the CS 2 student, it presents all the CS 2 material and early on discusses the use of abstraction as a means to help solve problems by separating the implementation issues from the specification issues. Classical abstract data types are covered, but presented as examples of this powerful technique rather than as defining that technique. With its goal of helping students become good programmers, it covers both memory and time efficiency considerations, various testing and verification techniques and useful sorting methods. The material is presented consistently throughout--the motivation for the concept to be covered is given, followed by examples and a significant case study. End-of-chapter programming problems that incorporate the ideas discussed are included. ... Read more

Product Description
Everybody in America knows that Everett Pick has a problem, and they're damned well going to solve it for him.Falsely accused of child molestation, Ev flees across the US to escape sure conviction only to be pursued by militia extremists, the FBI, the sheriff, a psychopathic computer genius, New Age nuts, media leeches, his girlfriend and his ex-wife."Everett Pick" is a comic tragedy set in the strangest place on earth-America in the early 1990s. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Poor Everett!
Being a book store manager (company not to be named), it is seldom in modern writing that I come across anything that I can fully and whole heartily suggest as GREAT reading. Mr. Fisher writes in a style, darkly humorous, reminicent of Kurt Vonnegut while having having the bursts of absolute laughter akin to David Sedaris.

I despise the term "page turner" but Relentless Pursuit is such a book. The characters are vividly portrayed, Vern in particular. Vern (the antagonist) is the total and utter repersentation of what mankind can become if unchecked, what is evil in all of us. Everett, or plain Ev, the Jesus-like figure of the book. Poor Ev weathers all, doubts, fears, yet triumphs in his ability to accept fate.

The Relentless Pursuit of Everett Pick is quite possibly one of the best books from a new author I have ever had the privilage to read.

Excellent Action in the Relentless Pursuit of Everitt Pick

Hard to put down, I found "The Relentless Pursuit of Everett Pick" to be thoroughly enjoyable - full of gritty characters, action,and misadventures.Everett Pick is a schoolteacher falsely accused of acrime he didn't commit.Faced with sure conviction, he's forced to fleeacross the American Midwest to the Badlands and the Black Hills, only toface troubles he never dreamed of.

Be warned: Everett Pick is not yourstandard hero!In fact, at first he seems a pitiful loser when he wakes upand discovers that his beautiful, but deadly girlfriend, Mary Fae, isattempting to kill him with a shovel because he's planning to leave her toreturn to his ex-wife, Juliet.Escaping with his life and not much else,the broke Everett drives 600 miles to his ex-wife's home in Black Hillsdressed only in his underwear.

Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to bebetter off in Juliet's hands.An advocate of a New Age Religion,Julietworships the mystical "Ascended Beings" and becomes more and moreout of touch with reality as the story unfolds.Her sole purpose is toattract followers to worship the Ascended, no matter what the costs toherself and those around her.

Ev Pick undertakes a series ofmisadventures from being shot in the leg and falling down a canyon whileavoiding and interacting with various characters in the Black Hills town ofRapid City.Examples include the wife-beating militia leader, VernonSarvis and the town's preacher, Moses Brubaker, who seems to have committedall of the 7 Deadly Sins of life (especially Gluttony and Greed!)

Despite all his misfortunes, Ev displays courage and compassion while undersiege from the militia members, the FBI, the sheriff, his ex-wife, and amurderous computer genius.You glimpse the tenderness that Everett canexhibit when he becomes attached to the doomed Lorena, the 18-year-oldpregnant wife of the heartless Vern Sarvis.

An unlikely partnershipforms between Everett and the local Sheriff, Lonny Gunderson, who comes aclose second to Everett for surviving mishaps such as a treacherous deputyand militia members armed to the teeth.Together, Ev and Lonny discover adark conspiracy unfolding in Black Hills that threatens the life ofeveryone living there... but will they be too late to uncover the truth?

While reading the book, I kept wanting to know what else could possiblyhappen to Everett and how or if he would survive his next mishap.Ilearned that despite all his faults, Everett Pick was a true hero in everysense, regardless of my original opinion.If you enjoy reading StephenKing, you'll love Steven Fisher's book.

I have only one warning... thisbook is filled with coarse language so I don't recommend it for youngreaders.

Review by Eva Almeida, eBooks N' Bytes Reviews
ebooksnbytes.com

totally trippy
Its like an acid trip on fast-forward. dark humour. bizarre but endearing characters.

it draws you into its spiral... I couldn't put it down.

if ev pick has a middle name it must be "bohica" (bend over, here itcomes again!)

The Relentless Pursuit of Laughter and Intrigue...
The Relentless Pursuit of Everett Pick By Steven Fisher

Ifyou want to know the meaning of the word "rocks" in today'svernacular, as in: "It rocks!", look in the dictionary under: Pick, Everett!

The novel is a howling, rollicking, roller-coaster ride that's filled with action, complexities (not TOO complex!), new religion, old antagonists, spousal abuse, Indian lore, and some of the most unforgettable characters you will ever meet in a book . . . and all of it is wrapped around the lovable, unflappable, unfortunate Everett Pick.

If I ever marry again, it will be to a man like Pick.He knows himself and his limits and he functions methodically without distraction while the whole world crumbles around him. He touches the lives of so many people, yet remains unchanged, undaunted . . . just Pick.

You'll meet Pick in the majestic mountains where Mt. Rushmore dominates the landscape, but it will not be a sight-seeing tour. Oh, no, this is pure humor/action fiction at its finest.Rushmore is just the backdrop for the collision between a high-powered militia organization, a New Age religious group, corporate America, a sociopathic computer genius, and old friends trying to simply make a life for themselves.

On this ride of all epic rides, Everett Pick brings along his ex-love (who whacks him over the head with a shovel at the opening of the book!)...his ex-wife, who starts her own New Age following by listening to the "Ascended Beings" in her head and erecting a towering telephone-pole "power antenna" to make contact with those beings...an old friend, who is a tired, beat-up sheriff trying to do his best to maintain law and order... a young woman who is beaten regularly and unmercifully by her car-salesman husband...and a magnificent stallion, a Dutch warmblood, who provides some of the very intense moments of the action with mystery and majesty.

There are many, many more colorful, unforgettable characters, but why don't you meet them on your own?

Don 't pass up the opportunity to read this book. You will come away with a very big smile on your face and a lovely warm feeling in your heart and a quick intake of breath at the ending. You will love it -- guaranteed.

Barbara A. Garrett Writer/Editor

The Relentless Pursuit of Laughter and Intrigue...
The Relentless Pursuit of Everett Pick By Steven Fisher

If you want to know the meaning of the word "rocks" in today's vernacular, as in: "It rocks!", look in the dictionary under: Pick,Everett!

The novel is a howling, rollicking, roller-coaster ride that'sfilled with action, complexities (not TOO complex!), new religion, oldantagonists, spousal abuse, Indian lore, and some of the most unforgettablecharacters you will ever meet in a book . . . and all of it is wrappedaround the lovable, unflappable, unfortunate Everett Pick.

If I evermarry again, it will be to a man like Pick.He knows himself and hislimits and he functions methodically without distraction while the wholeworld crumbles around him. He touches the lives of so many people, yetremains unchanged, undaunted . . . just Pick.

You'll meet Pick in themajestic mountains where Mt. Rushmore dominates the landscape, but it willnot be a sight-seeing tour. Oh, no, this is pure humor/action fiction atits finest.Rushmore is just the backdrop for the collision between ahigh-powered militia organization, a New Age religious group, corporateAmerica, a sociopathic computer genius, and old friends trying to simplymake a life for themselves.

On this ride of all epic rides, Everett Pickbrings along his ex-love (who whacks him over the head with a shovel at theopening of the book!)...his ex-wife, who starts her own New Age followingby listening to the "Ascended Beings" in her head and erecting atowering telephone-pole "power antenna" to make contact withthose beings...an old friend, who is a tired, beat-up sheriff trying to dohis best to maintain law and order... a young woman who is beaten regularlyand unmercifully by her car-salesman husband...and a magnificent stallion,a Dutch warmblood, who provides some of the very intense moments of theaction with mystery and majesty.

There are many, many more colorful,unforgettable characters, but why don't you meet them on your own?

Don 'tpass up the opportunity to read this book. You will come away with a verybig smile on your face and a lovely warm feeling in your heart and a quickintake of breath at the ending. You will love it -- guaranteed.

BarbaraA. Garrett Writer/Editor ... Read more

Product Description
This book addresses the disparity between transformative learning theory as espoused and practiced in the classrooms of the academy, and its application beyond. It articulates new models of transformative education that integrate transformative learning theory with other models of change and development. The three editors and eleven contributors draw on both theory and practice to illustrate how transformative learning has been introduced to a variety of settings and cultures, and synergistically integrated with theories of communication, participatory action research, and communities of inquiry and practice. Organized around the themes of creating space for learning; looking though the lenses of culture, diversity, and difference; and animating awareness through the expressive and performative arts, this collection will broaden awareness and aid scholars, students, and practitioners in using transformative learning as an approach to adult learning and social and organizational change in a range of settings. ... Read more

Product Description
From original manuscripts and letters to sound recordings and birth certificates, archival information plays an increasingly important role in modern research. This definitive guide shows novice and experienced researchers how to find archival information, covering government archives, science and technology collections, military archives, genealogical records, business and corporate archives, performing arts archives, and sports collections. Also provided is an overview of the world of archives, including archival terminology, how to contact archives, and archival etiquette. ... Read more

Product Description
February 22, 2006 - Annual investment returns for U.S. holdings in commercial real estate hit an unprecedented high of 34 percent in 2005, the MIT Center for Real Estate announced today. Now you can discover how to make money investing in commercial buildings, warehouses, apartments, mobile home parks, shopping centers, hotels, and other commercial income property. This comprehensive book provides invaluable information about how to identify opportunities, determine property value, acquire, finance, and manage commercial real estate. This book is a must-have for beginning investors, real estate veterans, commercial brokers, sellers, and buyers. Real estate investing has created more millionaires than any other investment vehicle in this country. This comprehensive step-by-step proven program shows beginners and seasoned veterans alike the ins and outs of commercial real estate investing. This book is a road map to successful investing in real estate. You do not need to re-invent the wheel, and you won t have to make the same mistakes others have.Investing in real estate is one of the safest and smartest investments you can make. Real estate appreciates at a rate far greater than the rate of inflation, builds equity, provides a steady return on investment, provides cash flow, and can offer substantial tax benefits. This new exhaustively researched book will arm you with hundreds of innovative ideas that you can put to use right away. This book gives you the proven strategies and actual case studies from experts to help you invest better and wiser with less time and effort.A sampling of what is covered in this encyclopedic book includes: how to find below-market deals, how to invest with little or no down payment, how to obtain seller financing, and how to conduct foreclosures and REOs. Once you have found your investment property, you will know how to negotiate, how to make purchase offers, how to manage a rental property, and how to flip. These terms will become part of your everyday vocabulary: auction, tax sales, financing, mortgage, agent, cash flow, inspection, contract, tenant, lease agreement, insurance, taxes, accounting, and escrow. Also included is information on development, taxation, and exchange rules and regulations. This book is loaded with case studies and success stories--from real people--as well as essential mathematical calculations and sample forms. You will uncover secrets that expert real estate investors use every day. This comprehensive resource contains a wealth of modern tips and strategies for getting started in this very lucrative area. This book is the foundation for understanding how to invest in real estate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

The worst real estate book I have ever read.
This book is for kindergarten level investor.Book is easy to read and the author lays out concepts that is common sense but lacks any benefits for its reader. If you are a novice, this book is for you. I stopped reading after page 16, then skim through the rest of the book in less than 10 minutes.Some parts are clearly erroneous.Here is a sample excerpt from the book.Please tell me if this is logical:"An apartment building appreciates faster than single-family homes because it costs more in the first place.A single-family home worth $300,000 appreciating at 10 percent generates $30,000 worh of appreciation.An apartment building worth $1,000,000 will generate $100,000 worth of appreciation at 10 percent, meaning more cash in your pocket"Now, people who gives 5 stars, ARE YOU SERIOUS???

Very dissapointed
ABSOLUTE WASTE OF MONEY & TIME. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT PURCHASE THIS BOOK.HERE IS MY OPINION: As a professional residential real estate broker & investor for the past 10 years I purchased this book to get a glimpse into commercial real estate investing.However, to my surprise this book is nothing more than opinions that are worthless.The author speaks in general terms throughout the entire book and never discusses real "how-to" dive into commercial investing.Furthermore, he talks about sourcing real estate deals by implementing residential tactics such as cold calling and partnering up with real estate agents or doing drive-by on properties.Just imagine reading the "intro sections" of a real estate 101 section from 10 books on a shelf, however this time you have 25 chapters of introductory opinionated material.Please HEED MY ADVICE---DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK.

limited details, very basic info you could find on the web
I guess I should've known better to look at the author's credentials before I purchased the book.Steven D. Fisher is an independent writer, illustrator, and instructional designer. (exerpt taken from the book bio at the back) Not necessarily the best person to learn the complexities of commercial real estate from.The book had some useful business and very basic real estate refresher type material but lacked the details I was expecting to find for a book entitled 'The Commercial Real Estate Investors Handbook'.I have a background in commercial real estate finance and found the lack of detail in the 'commercial loan documents' section neglecting critical details about how loan documents can make or break a deal and you as the investor. If you know absolutely nothing about commercial real estate, this book would be helpful as a simple introduction but nothing more.

Fabulous book about commercial real estate
I think this is one of the most comprehensive books on commercial real estate, but it is not like a textbook either. It includes everything that beginning and seasoned real estate investors need to be successful in the field of commercial real estate. Property types discussed are apartments, office, retail, industrial, and raw land.

I liked how the author is honest with readers about what it takes to be successful because other authors simply promise the sky just so that they can sell books or other products. He says that investors need knowledge because the lack of it leads to poor investments. In other words, ignorance is expensive. Second, they need significant capital because real estate professionals are not going to take them seriously.

Don't bring your no-money-down schemes into this game. If you have no money, you do not belong in this game. You need be prudent and save as much as you can. One option is to start off in residential real estate to build capital. The author also explores different career options to gain experience. I personally think that getting a job in the industry is the best way to learn the ropes. It's easy to get into it as an assistant to a broker or appraiser. Don't worry too much about pay because you can gain valuable experience.

- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market

An Invaluable Investment Guide
When a book claims to be "a step by step road map to financial wealth," one might raise a cynical eyebrow and move on.Doing so in the case of Steven D. Fisher's The Commercial Real Estate Investor's Handbook would be foolish.This is no get rich quick manual, however, and Fisher is clear to point out that winning in commercial real estate requires hard work, a determined effort, and the proper mindset.

Borrowing concepts espoused by wealth producing experts Napoleon Hill, Stephen R. Covey, Dale Carnegie and others, Fisher has created a powerful step-by-step commercial real estate guide by implementing classic self-improvement principles and applying them to a specific field.

Highlights include a mindset questionnaire, how to get started, career options in real estate, sources available, different types of financing, negotiating, and closing the deal.Unlike most real estate investment handbooks, Fisher explains how to manage the property after the purchase, and how to sell it down the road.

The ultimate question is whether or not an average person could take the information contained in The Commercial Real Estate Investor's Handbook and transact a profitable deal.If you're looking to invest in commercial real estate or are open to new methods of amassing wealth, I suggest you pick up the book, and find out for yourself.You'll be very pleased.

... Read more

Product Description
You worked hard for your money, so it's only natural that you want some control over what happens to your assets in the event of your death. At the very least, you probably want to minimize or avoid potential hassles and headaches for your loved ones. A living trust, created while you're alive, lets you control the distribution of your estate. You transfer ownership of your property and your assets into the trust. You can serve as the trustee or you can select a person or an institution to be the trustee. If you are the trustee, you will have to name a successor trustee to distribute the assets at your death. A living trust is probably the best strategy to avoid probate, protect your financial privacy, and provide long-range planning advantages. If you want to protect your assets and make sure they are distributed according to your wishes, you should think about establishing a living trust. It can be designed to manage your investments now and provide broader financial management later to make provisions for a surviving spouse, children, or other family members, and to reduce the impact of estate taxes or avoid probate. What are the advantages of a living trust? Properly drafted and executed, it can avoid probate because the trust owns the assets not the deceased. Only property in the deceased's name must go through probate. The potential downside? Poorly drawn or unfunded trusts can cost you money and endanger your best intentions. Many books on estate planning and living trusts indicate you do not need the services of an attorney, while we highly recommend an attorney versed in this area to assist you. We do not recommend going through the process alone. What this book will do is explain the complicated issues, terminology, and planning strategies of living trusts to the layperson (me and you). When you meet with a qualified attorney you will be well prepared, versed in the language, and ready to discuss issues and strategies that you will be familiar with, saving time, legal fees, and ensuring peace of mind. Get started today with the help of this new book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Takes the mystery out of living trusts
It's often been said that the only two inevitable things in life are death and taxes. Author Steven D. Fisher addresses both in "The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust: A Step-by-Step Plan to Protect Your Assets, Limit Your Taxes, and Ensure Your Wishes are Fulfilled."
Fisher writes in a straightforward fashion. While it's evident he's well-versed in the laws of probate, estate taxes and other stuff that might tend to make the eyes glaze over, he is not a lawyer and he doesn't write like a lawyer. Be glad.
"The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust," published by the Atlantic Publishing Group, focuses on living trusts but also explains wills, living wills, trusts, how to deal with minors or young adults in trusts, and it clearly explains the many terms you will encounter in estate transfers. It lucidly explains the advantages and disadvantages of livings trusts, probate and other avenues, and also who stands to benefit from which plans. It also explains how various life insurance products can be used to protect beneficiaries from taxes. It is not, however, a magic formula for avoiding all taxes and lawyer fees. Rather, it shows how to minimize the costs and give more control to you.
Fisher points out that living trusts are not for everyone, especially for those with significant debt issues or a pending divorce.
This book delves into the differences between an ABC trust and a Crummey trust (named for D. Clifford Crummey, not an editorial comment on the merits of the trust) and many other variations of trusts.
The book is 290 pages, but nearly one-third of that includes an appendix with sample documents and a glossary.
If you have an estate that you want to keep out of probate and wish to commence transfer of that estate before you die, "The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Living Trust" is a must-read.

Comprehensive Book
As a soup to nuts explanation of Living Trusts, this book has it all. From anecdotal examples, to sample documents and glossary terms, this book doesn't disappoint.And, just when you start to feel like this is a textbook on living trusts, a nice "real world" anecdote sneaks up and takes that notion away.As a comprehensive guide to the history of trusts and how to use them today, this book hits it out of the park.Don't expect too much concentration on the "cons" of trusts - because you won't find it here.While some of the book feels redundant in places, it is also particularly specific - especially with sections like the one on "special needs trusts".In updated editions I would put more information about The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warnings about certain Living Trust Promoters.This could be useful to the reader as well.

Living Trust, Protecting Your Assets
This book puts a very complicated subject in clear English. What are some of the reasons one would have a trust over a will? A trust is more difficult to contest in court than a will.The effects of a trust can be instituted the moment you become incapacitated and must be written before hand.If you are elderly, seriously ill, or simply want to take the common-sense approach of avoiding probate, then a living trust is a good idea for you. In addition, if you own a significant amount of property, then a living trust is a good choice.
This book speaks about the taxes your loved ones would need to pay such as the Federal estate tax imposed on your estate upon your death or in anticipation of your death.This tax is 45% tax if your estate is worth more than 2 million.Some states collect an inheritance tax.Also there is a "pick up" tax that allows the state to charge a percentage of what the federal government charged. Some people give their children gifts to try and get around this.Now even though gift taxes are exempt if the gift is under $12,000 or is for medical expenses or college tuition some gifts are not. This Book includes what must be listed in a simple trust including the fact that it needs to be signed by a notary. The advantages of having a trust are several.The chapters cover living trusts concerning minor children, including the need to select a guardian within a will.
This book is a must read for anyone with money, property or heirs.

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.

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. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses feelings such as shyness, embarrassment, and anger and examines specific situations such as the death of a loved one and fighting with family members. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The ins and outs of Emotions
Super book for pre-teens that helps them overcome problems that they might face in growing up. Focuses on giving information that will help kids make healthy decisions. Some topics covered are bullies, friends, grieving, divorce, guilt, body changes. Also coping with siblings, parents, and school. Finally, looks at being too young for some things and making up your own mind. Includes a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Karen Woodworth Roman, Childen's Science Book Review

... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the importance of a balanced diet and the role of foods in good nutrition, as well as examining the eating habits of some typical sixth-grade students. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes various prehistoric sea creatures that lived at the same time as the dinosaurs, including the placodus, mosasaurus, and plesiosaurus. ... Read more