Estate Planning
Estate Planning Means More Than Just Drafting a Will
Posted on February 11, 2021
When some people hear the terms “estate plan,” “wills”, “trusts,” or “end-of-life planning,” their eyes glaze over. The subject of estate planning can be overwhelming because it is a multifaceted topic which covers many aspects of financial and healthcare planning, but also because it is often uncomfortable to talk about what will happen after you pass away. However, having an estate plan in place gives you control over the distribution of your assets, your legacy wishes, and could even help you pay less in taxes, fees, and court costs. As […]
Three Important Reasons You Need an Up-to-Date Estate Plan
Posted on February 4, 2021
For far too many people, estate planning is something they will take care of later, which is a nice way of saying that it is not very important right now. Unfortunately, “later” becomes “never” in a large number of situations, leaving family members and loved ones to make important decisions during a time already complicated by grief. In my practice as an estate planning attorney, I have witnessed first-hand the reluctance to address the future. I have also seen such hesitancy evolve into peace of mind as my clients put […]
What to Do When Your Spouse Refuses to Participate in Estate Planning
Posted on January 29, 2021
In my practice as an estate planning attorney, I have helped many married couples create wills, trusts, and other estate planning instruments designed to offer long-term security and peace of mind. On occasion, however, I am approached by individuals who recognize the importance of estate planning but who cannot get their spouses to participate in the planning process. If this describes your situation, keep in mind that begging, nagging, or threatening your spouse will probably not do much good. Instead, there are a number of things that you can do […]
Preparing for the Unexpected: Living Wills and Death-Delaying Procedures
Posted on January 14, 2021
The law in Illinois expressly recognizes the rights of its citizens to make their own decisions regarding the medical care they wish to receive, even after the diagnosis or acquisition of a terminal condition. According to the law, a person may choose to have death-delaying procedures withheld or withdrawn in accordance with his or her own personal desires, regardless of his or her ability to make such decisions in the moment. To address these types of concerns, many individuals will utilize a living will to formalize their wishes regarding death-delaying […]
Getting Divorced? Be Sure to Review Your Estate Plan
Posted on January 8, 2021
If you are going through a divorce, or you feel that a divorce is a strong possibility in the near future, you are probably facing—or are about to be facing—a number of challenges and obstacles. Even in the best situations, it can be very stressful to negotiate the various aspects of a divorce agreement, including the division of marital assets and spousal maintenance. Couples with minor children often have even more to worry about. Once your divorce is finalized, however, it is probably time to take another look at your […]
Considerations When Selecting an Estate Planning Attorney
Posted on December 28, 2020
If something tragic were to happen to you tomorrow, do you have any idea what would happen to your assets and property? Would you children, grandchildren, or other would-be heirs appropriately receive the inheritance you intend for them? If you are not sure about the answer to questions to like these, chances are, you do not have a comprehensive estate plan. In my practice as an estate planning attorney, I have helped hundreds of clients draft wills, create trusts, and implement other planning tools necessary in preparing for the future. […]
5 Important Considerations for an End-of-the-Year Estate Plan Review
Posted on December 21, 2020
In addition to opening Christmas presents and toasting the new year, the end of the calendar year is also a time to review your estate plan and create a strategy for reaching your financial goals in 2021. This time of year is a good time to do an estate plan “check-up.” An up-to-date estate plan can ensure that your final wishes are clear, offer peace of mind that your family is taken care of after you have passed, and protect your rights and financial interests. When a person passes away […]
Talking to Your Family About Your Estate Plan
Posted on December 14, 2020
In my practice as an estate planning lawyer, I meet with clients almost every day who are at least a little bit intimidated by the process. For many, it is not the logistics that bother them; it is the difficult subject matter. It can be quite uncomfortable to face the reality that we will not live forever and just as difficult to talk about money and property concerns that extend beyond our lifetime. As challenging as it may be to have these conversations with a stranger—albeit an estate planning professional—it […]
Consider Charitable Donations in Your Estate Plan
Posted on December 7, 2020
For many people, the day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the winter holiday shopping season, and in most years, retail outlets attempt to lure customers by offering great “Black Friday” deals. “Small Business Saturday”—an event created by American Express—immediately follows Black Friday, and it is a day for shoppers to focus their spending on family-owned stores instead of major chains and big-box stores. “Cyber Monday”—a day dedicated to online shopping deals—is two days after Small Business Saturday. After more than a full weekend of consumerism, the day after Cyber […]
What You Should Know About the Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Wills
Posted on November 25, 2020
It is easy to think that estate planning primarily addresses how to divide your property and provide for your loved ones in the event of your death. However, a significant portion of the estate planning process can be dedicated to ensuring that you are properly cared for while you are alive. As an experienced estate planning attorney, I am regularly asked about some of the various tools that can be used to specify a person’s wishes regarding medical care and health decisions. There are several options from which to choose, […]
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