Before you finish your estate plan, there are many things to consider. Two things are picking the right trust, and just as important, picking the right Springfield, Illinois, trustee. Do not keep it in the family Your estate plan is a deeply personal endeavor, and...
Many Gen-Xers and now Millennials are part of the “sandwich generation.” They are taking car of their aging parents while at the same time raising families of their own. Being part of the sandwich generation can be difficult. While you love your parents and appreciate...
There’s no getting around it: divorce is usually complicated and involves many different steps. The day your divorce is finalized likely brings a sense of relief and desire to finally move on with your life. As you begin your post-divorce life, there is one more task...
You do not know when you will die, but you likely have some opinions on what care you want if you are at the end of your life. You can address these preferences in a health care directive. A health care directive is an important part of any estate plan. Health care...
Many of us know that it is important to have a will, even if we have not executed one yet. Still, if you die without a will you will be considered to have died intestate, and your estate will be subject to state intestacy laws. This can be problematic, as it leaves no...
We can make assumptions, but we can never truly know what the future will hold. As such, individuals in Illinois and elsewhere often take specific steps to better protect themselves for the unexpected events that may or may not occur. An estate plan is a tool that can...
If you are supporting your adult special needs child financially, you recognize that there may come the day that you are unable to meet your child’s needs, either due to old age or death. Is there a way you can continue to support them after you are gone in a way that...
When Illinois residents draft an estate plan, they often focus on the documents they include and the contents of them. While these are very important, it is also crucial to consider what the estate administration process will look like. In other words, if their estate...
Appointed or named to act in the best interest of the deceased individual, executors assume burdensome but vital legal duties. Many obligations concern those who will receive some benefit of the will—the beneficiaries. Only entrusted individuals should act in this...
When you execute a will, your hope is that your final wishes will be carried out. No one wants to think of their will being challenged in probate, with infighting among their beneficiaries. To prevent such turmoil, you may consider including a no-contest clause. But...
