by Lauren Jackson | Jul 3, 2026 | Attorney, Guardian, Lawyer, Power of Attorney
A lot of the calls I get about adult guardianship start the same way. An adult child has noticed their mother can no longer keep track of her bills, or a family calls because a brother was in an accident and can no longer make his own medical decisions. Whatever...
by Lauren Jackson | May 5, 2026 | Estate Planning, intentionally defective grantor trust, Trusts
An Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT) is a sophisticated estate planning strategy designed to shift future appreciation out of a client’s taxable estate while intentionally preserving certain income tax obligations. When properly structured, it allows the...
by Lauren Jackson | Apr 30, 2026 | Attorney, executor, Lawyer, Probate
Losing someone you love is hard. And somewhere in the middle of that grief, you may find yourself named executor of an estate, holding a will you’ve never seen before, and wondering where to begin. You don’t have to figure it out alone — and you...
by Lauren Jackson | Mar 6, 2026 | Attorney, buying a home, Lawyer, Real Estate, real estate appraisal, selling a home
What Happens When a Home Doesn’t Appraise? If you are in the process of buying a home, you probably have a lot of unanswered questions. One common concern buyers and sellers share is whether the home will appraise at the contract price. Everyone involved in the...
by Lauren Jackson | Jan 23, 2026 | Beneficiaries, Divorce, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Trusts, Wills
In the aftermath of a divorce, updating your estate plan is rarely a top priority. Many people are emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and focused on simply getting through the next day. Unfortunately, failing to update your estate plan after a divorce can lead to...
by Lauren Jackson | Nov 5, 2025 | executor, Kane County, open probate case, Probate
One of the first questions I’m asked when someone calls my office about a loved one’s estate is: “How long will probate take?” It’s an understandable question — most families want closure as soon as possible. Unfortunately, probate in Illinois isn’t a quick process....
by Lauren Jackson | Oct 18, 2025 | Beneficiaries, Estate Planning, Revocable living trust, Trusts, Wills
An often overlooked but increasingly important part of an individual’s estate in today’s world is their digital assets. A digital estate plan outlines how your online accounts and electronic records should be managed or distributed after your death. What exactly is...
by Lauren Jackson | Aug 26, 2025 | Attorney, Estate Planning, Lawyer, Limited Liability Company, Real Estate
As a real estate and estate planning attorney, one question I hear all the time is:“Should I put my rental property in an LLC?” It’s a great question—and the answer depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. It could be used for asset protection, liability...
by Lauren Jackson | Aug 16, 2025 | Attorney, Billing, Estate Planning
One of the most common questions I hear from clients is, “What is this going to cost?” It’s a fair question—and unfortunately, many law firms don’t give a clear answer. Too often, clients receive a bill that is far higher than expected, leading to frustration and...
by Lauren Jackson | Jun 23, 2025 | Attorney, buying a home, Contracts, Real Estate, real estate closing, selling a home
Before signing a real estate contract, it’s crucial to review the contract carefully. There are certain terms of the contract that must be correct, to give you the best protection. These provisions affect your rights, responsibilities, and risks as a buyer or seller....
