Estate planning is one of those things that a lot of people feel it’s fine to put off. They naturally imagine that they won’t actually need a plan until they retire or they’re in their 70s. That feels worlds away to someone in their 20s or 30s, so they don’t worry...
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Principled Advocacy For Families And Individuals With Disabilities And The Professionals Who Serve Them
Estate Planning
How independent will your child be?
Your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and you’re thinking about their future. They live with you right now, but you know well that you will not always be there for them. How independent can they be? Will they be able to live on their own? The answers, of...
How can you support an autistic child who wants to move out?
Autism is a spectrum. People diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder may sometimes seem much like their neurotypical peers. Other times, they may have obvious signs of a disabling medical condition. Given that autism presents so differently in individuals, it can...
Do you have the right to leave a close relative out of your will?
As you make your estate plans, you may wonder if you’re allowed to leave one of your would-be-heirs out of that will entirely. You do not want to leave your assets to them, even if they expect it. Regardless of your feelings, they have a claim to your estate as a...
Do you need to put your pet into your estate plan?
Your estate plan gives you a lot of tools. You can decide what to do with your assets, pick a guardian for your children (if they’re still minors), make your medical wishes known, and much more. When people think of leaving money in a will, that’s just the tip of the...
How do you convince your parents they need an estate plan?
It’s all too common for people to put off estate planning – even when they’re in their senior years. If you have parents who have still not done this, you may be getting anxious about them not having any estate planning documents in place and wondering what you can do...
Power of attorney versus a guardianship: What you need to know
As you age, there may come a time where you cannot take care of yourself. Whether from mental or physical limitations, it can become difficult to manage financial accounts while also trying to keep on top of your physical health. In these circumstances, the elderly...
3 strategies that can help you avoid major estate taxation
Very large estates are subject to federal estate taxation. Even modest estates of those with real estate holdings or a business in their name could be subject to Illinois estate taxes. Planning ahead is crucial for those who want to limit their tax liability after...
What are your alternatives when naming a trustee?
When you create a trust as part of your estate plan, you take control over what ultimately happens with your legacy. If all you have in your estate plan is a standard will, your authority over your legacy ends when your executor distributes property to your family...
Special needs trusts: Understanding how they work
A special needs trust can be an amazing lifeline for someone with special needs. It’s a way to provide them with additional assets and support without affecting their local, state or government benefits. Since many people with special needs outlive their parents or...
