In a recent post, I outlined the importance of reviewing your estate plan regularly. The primary goal of such a review is to determine if your estate plan still matches your life’s circumstances well enough to give you and your family the peace of mind you deserve. As an estate planning lawyer, I realize that […]
Naperville Estate Planning Lawyer on Living Wills and Death-Delaying Procedures
October 9, 2018 By
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 According to the law, a person may choose to have death-delaying procedures withheld or withdrawn in accordance with his or own […]
Naperville Estate Planning Attorney Discusses the Passing of a Music Legend
August 28, 2018 By
She was larger than life on stage and on the silver screen, but Aretha Franklin was known for being intensely private in regard to personal matters. Unfortunately, when the Queen of Soul passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this month, she apparently did so without any type of will or trust in place to protect […]
Naperville Estate Planning Lawyer Discusses How to Avoid Inheritance Disputes
July 10, 2018 By
Last month, the patriarch of one of music’s royal families passed away at age 89. Joe Jackson was the father of Michael, Janet, and the Jackson 5, but most sources avoid indicating that he was a loving, nurturing parent. Joe’s death is not likely to create as much controversy as Michael’s did in 2009. When […]
Naperville Estate Planning Lawyer on How a Divorce Can Affect Your Will
June 28, 2018 By
As an estate planning attorney, I encourage everyone to create and maintain an estate plan. It is important to do to protect yourself and your family in the event of something unexpected happening. The size of your estate and the types of things that it includes will dictate the tools that are necessary for your […]
Consider Using a Pour-Over Will in Conjunction with Your Trust
May 29, 2018 By
As an estate planning lawyer, I believe that everyone can benefit from having an estate plan. Although many assume estate plans are only necessary for the elderly or ultra-rich, the reality is that every adult should have some sort of estate planning document(s) in place. A will or trust allows a person to have a […]
Naperville Estate Planning Lawyer on How to Minimize Potential Inheritance Arguments
April 26, 2018 By
Experts estimate that an astounding $30 trillion will be inherited in the next 30 years. While the majority of these transactions will take place without any issues, some of this money will inevitably be argued over. When estate plans are not clear or heirs feel that their inheritance is unfair, a lengthy legal battle can […]
Naperville Estate Planning Lawyer Warns About Online DIY Estate Planning
April 10, 2018 By
If you are reading this, you are probably someone who has at least considered the importance of estate planning. Perhaps you have a vague feeling that you should be planning for your and your family’s future, but you are unsure where to start. The world of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations can […]
Naperville Estate Planning Lawyer Offers End-of-the-Year Tips
December 12, 2017 By
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 2018. This time of year is a good time to do an estate plan “check-up.” An up-to-date estate plan […]
Talking to Your Family About Your Estate Plan
November 28, 2017 By
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 […]
