Customer Reviews

The Living Trust Advisor: Everything You Need to Know About Your Living Trust

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Jeffrey Condon has accomplished what to the layperson has always seemed impossible - writing a book about a legal document that doesn't stumble over the rocks and crevices of legalese! In THE LIVING TRUST ADVISOR rest assured we have found a friend, an intelligent and sensitive attorney/author who radiates good will, humor, honest caring, and the ability to explain the intricacies of establishing and maintaining an important legal document. That is not to say this is a book to skim lightly: there is so much well organized information here that it takes time to absorb the importance of each helpful step Condon explains. But instead of burying the reader with information of the bloated importance of the attorney's role in arriving at a means to protect those we leave behind, Condon instead lays it all out in basic terms, adjusts our thinking to ask questions that are pertinent to us, and takes us step by step through all phases of writing or rather establishing a Living Trust, living with the decisions stipulated in that Trust while both partners drawing the Trust are alive as well as when one partner is deceased, and ultimately knowing how the Trust will be executed after the death of both partners. Peace of mind is what the Trust is all about and Condon wisely walks us through all the pitfalls, tax implications, changes that may occur and their legal implications - all of the nasty little stumbling blocks that usually color discussions of legal issues - all in the tone of an ally and friend and coach and master teacher. Would that every legal document we all face could be so user friendly! In the end Jeffrey Condon bonds with the reader on a level that encourages our complete trust in his Trust instructions! This is a fine and entertaining read as well as an indispensible resource for everyone in need of advice and compassion in making a Will or a Trust. Highly recommended reading. Grady Harp, October 08

I am an investment advisor and was looking for a book to help me learn more about trusts and other legal structures. I learned more from this book than from several executive courses I have taken at local colleges in the past. I have also read many books on trusts and estate planning and this is one of the best I have read so far. Clearly written and effective use of examples. I keep it on my desk for quick reference now. A good investment for financial professionals.

My wife and I needed a Living Trust because we are parents of a Special Needs child (now an adult) and went to see an advisor who specialized in trusts for Special Needs families. It was one of the best moves we made.

But to make sure, and to get a "second opinion" as it were, I decided to pick up a book on the subject and see what another expert had to say on the subject. I found a book by Jeffrey Condon, a bestselling author and attorney who is an expert on Living Trusts. In addition, he has a brother who is a Special Needs adult and has helped other families write up trusts with these special needs requirements.

While reading The Living Trust Advisor, I really came to appreciate the author's sense of humor but soon came to realize that he is a caring individual sensitive enough to understand human needs as well as having a solid grasp of the law. The author takes his reader, step by step, through the process of creating a Living Trust. He warns of the pitfalls, raises red flags along the way, and stresses those areas that require special attention. I found him to be especially insightful when warning about how siblings may squabble after both parents die and in advising what to do when remarrying after a divorce. Condon likens the process of drawing up a Living Trust to the four quarters of a football game and organizes his book the same way - into four quarters. And functioning as an author and attorney, Condon becomes a Living Trust Coach to guide you through all four quarters.
The Living Trust Advisor: Everything You Need to Know About Your Living Trust
I enjoyed Condon's humor, insights and war stories so much that I almost forgot why I picked up his book in the first place. I put the book down feeling our financial advisor and attorney had done the right thing for us years back. Anyone who has not yet secured their family's financial future with a Living Trust would do well to read The Living Trust Advisor by Jeffrey Condon before making an appointment with their attorney or financial advisor.
By Emory Daniels

I was looking to setup my own living trust. Although this book is not a do-it-yourself, it goes into great detail about what you should consider in your living trust in a way that a normal person can understand (yes, attorneys are not normal). Everyone's trust will be different and it is important that your document contains the proper legal terms, so you should consult an attorney in your area and NOT do it yourself. This book will point out important details that your attorney may overlook that might give a total stranger rights to your inheritance instead of your grandchildren. You would think that all estate planning attorneys would be wary of this, but not always. It is up to you to make sure the trust is setup the way you want it. Remember, you will be dead and your trustee will be following your instructions. You won't be able to say "I meant <this>" if something in the trust gets screwed up. After reading this book, you will be ready to meet with your attorney and ask those questions you may have not thought about otherwise.

I found this book easy to read and very useful. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars and countless hours at a lawyer's office, I bought the book, and I learned everything I needed to know. Highly recommended. Well worth the $30!

The Living Trust Advisor: Everything You Need to Know About Your Living Trust If you have established a trust or are thinking about doing one, this should be required reading & studing before you make anything in writing. Most helpful of all the books I've read so far.

I thought I knew what a living trust was before I read this book and boy was I wrong. This book is a great resource for anyone who is looking to create a living trust or anyone who already has one but wasn't sure if it was done right.

The author takes the complex legal concepts and translates them into easy to understand bite size subjects throughout each chapter making it easy for anyone to swallow.

The read is easy and fun and the author makes you feel like he's a good friend and mentor helping you through the process. Jeff will give you some really good ideas that you can recommend, suggest, or demand that your lawyer implement in your living trust.

I would highly recommend this book as it is the real deal Living Trust handbook.

Bought this text for a loved one. Their feedback was this was very helpful in understanding the usage of trusts. This should be used in combination of legal advisors but it can really explain the nuts and bolts of trusts.