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Estate planning insights and legal resources.
The Probate Process in Illinois: Timeline and Key Steps
Probate courts oversee settling estates when people die, as well as naming guardians for those unable to care for themselves. Most people experience probate when a loved one dies and their estate is settled through the probate process. An uncomplicated probate case takes about a year to conclude, but those settling modest estates can petition
June 19, 2025
What assets go through probate in Illinois?
Probate is the legal process to settle an estate after the owner dies. All estates worth $100,000 or more are probated unless accounts meet certain standards or everything belonging to the owner is covered by a trust. Through the probate process, a person’s property is accounted for and distributed to their heirs. It is a
June 10, 2025
Can a Revocable Trust Become Irrevocable in Illinois?
Trusts are estate planning tools that are used in place of or in addition to wills, for legal and financial reasons. Trusts preserve a person’s (the grantor’s) assets for their heirs or beneficiaries. These accounts are classified as revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts can also be converted to irrevocable. It’s not unusual for people to
May 19, 2025
Do I Need a Will if I Already Have a Trust in Illinois?
Wills and living trusts are not mutually exclusive, nor does one override the other – if they are created to work together. If you’ve spent your life working hard, you want assurance that your family members will enjoy that legacy by inheriting your estate. Making that happen is the job of an estate planning attorney.
May 12, 2025
Illinois Trusts: Revocable vs. Irrevocable
When you’re creating an estate plan, finding ways to reduce the hassle your loved ones experience upon your death and securing your legacy can be tough. But using revocable and irrevocable trusts can help you take control of their inheritance and your final wishes for your assets. While your Illinois estate planning attorney can help
April 11, 2025
Can You Avoid Probate in Illinois?
When you create an estate plan, what’s your main goal? If you’re like most people, it’s to protect your loved ones and to provide a lasting legacy after you pass away. But the probate process can eat into the inheritance that your loved ones receive and may keep your loved ones from inheriting the property
April 11, 2025
The Benefits of Establishing a Living Trust in Illinois
Creating an estate plan is one of the best ways to preserve your interests and keep your loved ones’ well-being in mind. But it can involve far more than just writing a will or choosing a power of attorney. You want to account for your full estate and find ways to make inheriting your estate
March 17, 2025
Understanding Illinois Intestate Succession Laws
You worked hard to acquire the assets you have. That’s why it’s completely understandable that you’d want to leave certain assets to certain people, and to outline your final wishes so your loved ones can honor your memory in an appropriate way. For most people, this means creating a comprehensive estate plan, including a will .
March 17, 2025
What Assets Cannot Be Placed in a Trust in Illinois?
Establishing a trust can be one of the best ways to protect your assets and ensure that the people you want to leave your property to receive the items you want them to. You’re able to clearly outline who receives what as long as the items they’re inheriting are placed in the trust. Unfortunately, not
February 20, 2025
How Much Does a Trust Cost in Illinois?
When you’re looking for a way to take care of your loved ones when you pass away, creating an estate plan is an absolute must. And for many people, establishing a trust can help them more effectively care for their beneficiaries and reduce the risk of costly probate processes eating into the inheritances they want
February 20, 2025
Is a Trust Better Than a Will in Illinois?
If you’re exploring the estate planning process, you’ve likely encountered two tools: wills and trusts. Both of these tools can help you distribute assets to your loved ones and chosen beneficiaries, but they work in different ways. Before you can decide if a trust is better than a will for your situation, it’s helpful to
January 29, 2025
Who Inherits When There Is No Will In Illinois?
Leaving behind a last will and testament is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your final wishes are honored. However, not everyone has a will and that lack of a will can complicate your loved ones’ ability to honor your final wishes over who inherits which parts of your estate. Here’s what your
January 21, 2025