by Lauren Jackson | Jun 7, 2023 | Attorney, buying a home, Elgin, Lawyer, Real Estate, real estate closing, selling a home, St. Charles
If you are selling real estate (residential or commercial), you have a lot going on. Not only do you have to deal with your regular life stressors but add in packing, moving, dealing with inspection issues, etc. it can become overwhelming. We understand it is not an...
by Lauren Jackson | May 19, 2023 | Estate Planning, Revocable living trust, Trusts
Let’s be honest, estate planning can be complicated. So many major decisions must be made and so many documents should be completed. The thing about estate planning is that each individual or family’s estate plan can be designed to fit their needs. No two estate...
by Lauren Jackson | Mar 17, 2023 | Estate Planning, Trustee, Trusts
If you have a revocable living trust in place for yourself, you can generally amend your trust at any time, including the trustee. However, amendments must be properly executed based on state law and in accordance with the terms of the trust. Alternatively, if you...
by Lauren Jackson | Mar 7, 2023 | Elgin, Quit claim deed, Real Estate, Transfer on death instrument
In 2012 the Illinois Residential Real Property Transfer on Death Instrument Act became Illinois law. This act authorized the use of a new deed called the Transfer on Death Instrument (“TODI”). This new tool allows the transfer of residential real estate outside of...
by Lauren Jackson | Feb 6, 2023 | Attorney, Estate Planning, Lawyer, Small Business, Succession Planning
Being a small business owner myself, I truly understand the positives and negatives of running your own small business. There is always work that needs to be done and often not enough hours in the day to accomplish them. Once your business has been established and has...
by Lauren Jackson | Feb 6, 2023 | Estate Planning, Revocable living trust, Trusts
You have a revocable trust drafted, signed, and notarized. I bet you think your assets are covered; however, your work is not done yet. Completing your trust is only part one. Part two is your homework. Now, you must transfer your assets into the trust, one by one....
by Lauren Jackson | Jan 20, 2023 | Estate Planning, financial advisor
When thinking about estate planning, you may not realize how much a financial advisor can be involved in the process. Many financial advisors will not take you on as a client if you do not have your estate planning complete. Why would financial advisors turn down...
by Lauren Jackson | Nov 1, 2022 | Attorney, buying a home, Lawyer, Real Estate, selling a home
Are you ready to buy a home? Are you ready to sell your current home? Do you think it is possible to do both transactions in one day? With some good planning and a little bit of luck on your side, it can be done. If possible, we encourage our clients not to buy and...
by Lauren Jackson | Jul 13, 2022 | College Incentive Provision, Estate Planning, Revocable living trust
When clients are completing their estate plan and they have minor children one of the hardest questions to answer is what is the best way to leave assets? I would never advise clients to give large sums of money to 18 year old’s with no restrictions. So, what are...
by Lauren Jackson | Jun 13, 2022 | Beneficiaries, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Trusts
If you are part of a group of beneficiaries (2, 3, etc.) and have inherited a parcel or parcels of real estate together, there are a variety of ways in which the real estate may be distributed. First and foremost, if the real estate is owned by a trust, the trustee of...
