Planning for a loved one with a disability in Illinois can feel confusing. Many families focus on immediate needs but often overlook key steps that protect long-term financial security and government benefits. Missing small details can create setbacks that affect...
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Estate Planning
Can a power of attorney prevent probate delays in Illinois?
Probate delays can create frustration and uncertainty for families. You may wonder whether a power of attorney can help avoid those delays in Illinois. Understanding its limits helps you make informed planning decisions. What a power of attorney actually does A power...
What your estate plan needs if your child relies on SSI
If your child relies on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you need to build your estate plan differently. A simple will or direct inheritance could accidentally cut off the benefits your child depends on. Here’s what your plan must include to protect their support...
Honor a special relationship with a Totten trust
One estate plan add-on that many Chicago residents find useful is a Totten trust. While that name may sound unfamiliar, these so-called “trusts” are actually just payable-on-death checking accounts. So, what’s the use for a Totten trust in your estate plan? Read on to...
How can people reduce the risk of estate taxes?
Estate taxes can significantly alter the legacy that an individual leaves when they die. They may have intended for their loved ones to receive all of their property, but estate taxes could force the liquidation of certain assets to fulfill tax responsibilities. The...
The importance of fully funding a special needs trust
Parents and other family members establishing special needs trusts typically have one of two priorities. They want to ensure that a child with special needs has financial support after their parents or current caregivers become incapable of supporting them. Other...
What are the benefits of a generation-skipping trust?
Many people choose to leave their assets to their children when they die. However, some families looking to protect generational wealth may decide to create a generation-skipping trust (GST). Your children can still benefit from the trust during their lifetimes, but...
What types of advance directives does Illinois have?
When most people think about estate planning, they tend to think first about their assets and other financial matters that can be addressed via wills, trusts and beneficiary negotiations – but it’s important to think about your health care wishes and advance...
When can an incentive trust be useful?
What would you do if you suddenly inherited a large amount of money? Would you buy everything you ever wanted? Would you invest it in the stock market? Would you give it all away to charity? You may need to consider these kinds of questions before leaving your estate...
Why estate tax planning is so important in Illinois
People establishing estate plans need to take many different matters into consideration. They may need to think about the relationships among their beneficiaries and the value of different assets. They may also need to consider issues that could reduce what their...
