Estate planning can be a very difficult process. While it’s not brain surgery, making the decision to move forward with the planning requires us to face the fact that we will not live forever. This thought can stop many people right in their tracks. Others talk...
What is the best way to leave assets to minor children? Well, that depends on the testator’s intentions and risk level, but there are a few options and basics to keep in mind: In Illinois, children under age 18 may inherit property, but can’t enter contracts and...
In 2008, Congress recognized the need for the public to understand the importance and benefits of estate planning by passing House Resolution 1499, which designated the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Nevertheless, according to a 2019...
Real estate encompasses not only one’s primary residence but also other real estate such as a vacation home or a rental property. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of real estate you own. Below, we take a look at the different types of real...
With a push by the Democratic party to return federal estate taxes to their historic norms, taxpayers need to act now before Congress passes legislation that could adversely impact their estates. Currently, the federal estate and gift tax exemption is set at $11.58...
Estate planning—it is an incredibly important tool, not just for the uber-wealthy or those thinking about retirement. On the contrary, estate planning is something every adult should do. Estate planning can help you accomplish any number of goals, including appointing...
A popular question that I answer a lot for my estate planning clients is what is the Medicaid look-back period for assets? When clients realize they might be eligible for Medicaid, they start their estate planning with that in mind. However, the timing of everything...
One question that I continually hear from clients, friends, and family is what type of life insurance should I get? First off, let’s acknowledge that I am not an insurance salesperson and I do not and have never sold insurance. The following information is...
When I’m talking with my clients about how often to review their estate planning documents, I always recommend they review all financial accounts; how they are titled and who are the listed beneficiaries. A good habit to get into is to do an annual review. I...
News about the coronavirus is everywhere, and we have all been affected by it in some way, even if we are currently completely healthy. Although it may seem as though circumstances are spinning beyond our control, we are not powerless. There are steps we can take to...
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