John E. Kerley, Attorney at Law, P.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • John Kerley
  • Practice Areas
    • Estate Planning And Administration
    • Business Ownership And Estate Planning
    • Elder Law
    • SSI And Medicaid Planning
    • Guardianships
    • Powers Of Attorney And Living Wills
    • Probate And Estate Administration
    • Trusts
    • Wills
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Springfield Law Office

Call For A Consultation

217-814-0148
John E. Kerley, Attorney at Law, P.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • John Kerley
  • Practice Areas
    • Estate Planning And Administration
    • Business Ownership And Estate Planning
    • Elder Law
    • SSI And Medicaid Planning
    • Guardianships
    • Powers Of Attorney And Living Wills
    • Probate And Estate Administration
    • Trusts
    • Wills
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Springfield Law Office

Email

CALL
Estate Planning Built Around Your Family
Attorney John Kerley
  1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. BlogPage 8

Illinois Legal Blog

Estate planning lessons from Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Oct 11, 2024 | Estate Planning

Abraham Lincoln, Springfield’s most famous resident, left behind more than just a political legacy. His approach to personal matters, including estate planning, offers valuable lessons for modern residents. While Lincoln’s brilliance as a leader is well-known, his...

read more

Signs that a trustee has breached their fiduciary duty

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Sep 27, 2024 | Estate Planning

A trustee is tasked with ensuring that a trust is properly managed. They’re responsible for tracking income and expenses, and they must distribute trust assets to identified beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the trust’s documentations. These are heavy...

read more

What happens if your beneficiary dies before you?

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Sep 26, 2024 | Estate Planning

Estate planning can be a great way to keep your legacy intact and provide for your loved ones after you're gone. But life sometimes throws curveballs that complicate even the most carefully laid plans. Things can go awry if a beneficiary you named in your estate...

read more

3 reasons every adult should have an end-of-life plan

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Sep 18, 2024 | Estate Planning

End-of-life planning isn't just for older adults or those facing health crises. It's a valuable process for any adult who wants to maintain autonomy and protect their loved ones from unnecessary burdens. Understanding its importance is a good first step towards...

read more

Special concerns for same-sex estate planning

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Sep 13, 2024 | Estate Planning

Estate planning is essential for everyone, but for same-sex couples in Illinois, it involves unique considerations that require careful attention. Although same-sex marriage was legalized in Illinois in 2014, these couples might face specific challenges that are not...

read more

Should you use a discretionary trust in your estate plan?

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Aug 29, 2024 | Estate Planning

As you consider your estate planning options, you might find that certain types of trusts don’t have the flexibility that you want for your beneficiaries. Another type, known as a discretionary trust, could give you the ability to modify asset distribution over time,...

read more

Problems with a payable-on-death account can harm an estate plan

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Aug 15, 2024 | Estate Planning

Payable-on-death accounts, such as annuities, life insurance and federal FERS accounts, are designed to transfer assets directly to a named beneficiary upon the account holder’s death, bypassing probate. They are essential to many people’s estate plans because they...

read more

How to protect assets from being wasted away by a beneficiary

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Aug 9, 2024 | Estate Planning

It’s taken you decades to build your wealth. Now you’re in the position where you get to decide how you want those assets to be passed down to your loved ones. But if you’re like a lot of people, then you’re worried about how inheritances will be spent. After all,...

read more

Why do I need an estate plan and not just a will?

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Jul 31, 2024 | Estate Planning

A will is a crucial legal document that dictates how your assets are distributed after your death. However, an estate plan is a more comprehensive strategy that includes a will and additional legal instruments to manage your affairs both during your lifetime and after...

read more

Will vs a trust: which one should you get?

On Behalf of Kerley & Talken PC | Jul 19, 2024 | Estate Planning

Estate planning is essential to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are honored after your passing. Many people wonder whether they need a will, a trust, or both. In Illinois, having both a will and a trust can provide comprehensive protection for your estate....

read more
« Older Entries
Next Entries »

Recent Posts

  • How Springfield executors can prevent future estate disputes
  • What red flags should you watch out for with an executor?
  • The role of irrevocable trusts in Illinois Medicaid planning
  • What if your executor dies before you?
  • Why every adult needs an estate plan—not just the wealthy

Categories

  • Estate Planning
  • Firm News

Archives

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Estate planning done right means one less thing to worry about.

Ready To Plan Ahead?

John E. Kerley, Attorney at Law, P.C.

Address

431 S. Grand Ave West
Springfield, IL 62704
Springfield Office
John E. Kerley, Attorney at Law, P.C.
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

Phone

217-814-0148
Review Us

© 2026 John E. Kerley, Attorney at Law P.C. • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw