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Estate planning insights and legal resources.
When and Why Should You Update Your Estate Plan in Illinois?
An estate plan is a careful accounting and forward-looking plan for your assets. Estate plans can include trusts, a will, power of attorney, and long-term tax planning considerations. Keeping these documents updated is crucial to their proper synchronization when a triggering event occurs. An estate law specialist is the best person to consult regarding current
July 8, 2025
Changes to Illinois Tax Law in 2025 That You Should Know
The tax landscape in Illinois is changing, and it’s up to business owners and individuals to stay on top of new requirements. Navigating these shifting sands can be challenging, and failure to properly file the necessary paperwork carries legal and financial implications. A qualified business or estate attorney can help you understand how your holdings
June 29, 2025
10 Tax and Legal Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
Everyone makes mistakes now and then, but some are more costly than others. Often, the biggest mistake is continuing to do things the way you’ve always done them, rather than examining the assumption that your information is accurate. There are almost 35 million small businesses in the country, each with taxes to file. Getting professional
June 27, 2025
Top 10 Tax Terms Every Illinois Business Owner Should Know
Illinois is in the top third of states with high business taxes at 9.25 percent, but the tax environment is offset by the economic strength of the state, which features major corporations in agribusiness, healthcare, and farm machinery. Related businesses like suppliers, service providers, transportation and logistics services, and human resources assets stay in Illinois
June 23, 2025
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