Estate Planning

An irrevocable trust could prove an essential estate planning tool if you fear someone else will take your assets. It can help you to preserve them for the beneficiaries you choose. Here are some people that an irrevocable trust could keep your money safe from: 1....

Not many life events are as momentous as learning that you are going to be a parent in a couple of months’ time. There is no doubt that your life is bound to change in major ways, and one of the things you need to take care of is your child’s well-being. This is where...

When you start to get your estate plan in order, dividing up things like your bank, retirement and investment accounts is easy. It’s harder, though, to decide how you want to divide a houseful of mementos and personal items. You may, however, be stressing out over...

You may be nervous to bring up estate planning with your parents. Maybe they don’t like to talk about such personal issues and you feel like the conversation will be awkward. Perhaps you think that they will feel insulted because it just sounds like you’re asking when...

By setting up a special needs trust for your disabled child, you help ensure that they’ll be eligible to access government benefits for which they qualify while still being able to enjoy the extras you can provide -- while you’re around and after you’re gone. Choosing...

Your will is designed to instruct your heirs on how to distribute your assets. You will pick an estate administrator, and it’s their job to take inventory of all the assets listed in the will and then pass them out. This works well for things like family heirlooms or...

Part of parenting is wanting the best for your children. As hard as it is to think about what will happen to your kids after you’re gone, estate planning provides the tools necessary to provide for them in your absence. This is especially important if you have a child...

Those without a family or heirs often think they don’t need an estate plan. They may believe estate planning is unnecessary since they have no one to inherit the wealth and property they leave behind. If you are not concerned about what will happen to your assets...

Estate planning does involve some discussions around what happens if you die, but there is much more to it than this. There is a common misconception that trusts, wills and other estate planning documents are only useful for elderly people. This is certainly not the...

Whether disabled from birth, a severe injury or age, the disenabled members of a community are vulnerable and often need protection. Establishing guardianship for yourself or a disabled family member can ensure such protection. Illinois has some of the most innovative...