Estate Planning

Estate plans can consist of just a will or a variety of different documents. Testators can create legal paperwork to protect their loved ones after they die. They can also draft documents that help protect themselves from unpredictable circumstances throughout their...

Like many Chicago area residents, you may have a lakeside cabin in Wisconsin for summer vacations and weekend getaways. You may still own your first condo that you bought in Indiana and rent it out for some added income. Maybe you have a vacation home in Florida where...

As an adult, estate planning is very important. Nonetheless, it is estimated that over half of the population has no estate plan in place. There are numerous reasons for this. Some people find talking about estate planning depressing. Others believe that it is...

For those with a special needs family member, a well-crafted estate plan is essential. Including a special needs trust can help to safeguard your relative's eligibility for government benefits while offering supplemental support. But what happens if you die before...

When it is necessary to protect the best interests of beneficiaries by funding spendthrift trusts, great care should be taken when designating the trustees to oversee, manage and disburse funds to your loved ones. While it might seem easier to appoint a close relative...

There are many components that come together to create a successful estate plan. If you have yet to begin this process, you’ll likely have to create a will and possibly set up and fund trusts. You also have to name someone as the executor of your estate. This person...

People often think that living trusts are only for those with great wealth or complex assets. They also believe they’re difficult to manage. Neither one of these things is necessarily true. A revocable living trust is an excellent estate planning tool for anyone who...

Trusts are powerful estate planning tools that allow you to manage and distribute your assets according to your wishes – all the while minimizing probate and tax problems. They’re increasingly popular among people at all income levels when it comes time to engage in...

Making an estate plan is a milestone that many never achieve. So well done if you have made yours. Yet, the initial drafting of a plan is not the end of your preparation for the inevitable. For the plan to stay relevant, you need to keep it up to date. It takes...

A special needs trust is an important component in estate planning for many families with a member who has special needs or a disability. This type of trust is designed to provide financial support to a beneficiary without jeopardizing their eligibility for...