by Lauren Jackson | Feb 7, 2018 | Attorney, Estate Planning, Lawyer, Probate
When you die will your family have an easy time dealing with all of your financial affairs? We understand that talking about your death or even planning for your death is hard to discuss. Below are a few helpful guidelines to remind you what you should review and...
by Lauren Jackson | Jan 23, 2018 | Estate Planning, Probate, Revocable living trust, Trustee
A question I often get asked when discussing the consequences of the death of a parent is: Am I responsible for my parents’ debt when they die? The quick answer to that question is…..no. Whether your parents have an estate plan or not, if they die with debt in THEIR...
by Lauren Jackson | Nov 21, 2017 | Attorney, buying a home, Contracts, Lawyer, Real Estate, real estate appraisal, real estate closing, selling a home
If your home has been on the market for some time (and you are using a realtor) you better make sure your realtor is working for you. Do you know the common ways that realtors and property owners use to market their property listings? Below is a short list that you...
by Lauren Jackson | Oct 9, 2017 | Attorney, Estate Planning, Lawyer
One question that should take top priority when interviewing a potential estate-planning attorney is: What is the amount of experience they have accumulated in the field? The reason this should take such precedence is not only because you want it done right from the...
by Lauren Jackson | Sep 7, 2017 | buying a home, Real Estate, real estate closing, selling a home, Taxes
If you are buying or selling real estate in the state of Illinois, one of the biggest line item dollar amounts will be the real estate tax proration (credit) given by the seller of the property to the buyer. In Illinois, all real estate taxes are paid one year in...
by Lauren Jackson | Aug 8, 2017 | Attorney, buying a home, Lawyer, property disclosure, Real Estate, real estate closing, selling a home
When you are purchasing real estate, property disclosure statements are some of the most important documents that you will receive. Property disclosure statements outline any flaws that the current owners and their real estate agents are aware of that could negatively...
by Lauren Jackson | Jun 27, 2017 | Attorney, Lawyer, Lien Waiver, Mechanic Lien, Real Estate
A lien waiver is a real estate related legal document designed with the intention of rendering the claim of a mechanic lien claimant unenforceable. This is often done in order to allow the transfer of real estate, or as a means of proving a particular contractor or...
by Lauren Jackson | Jun 12, 2017 | Attorney, executor, Lawyer, Probate
Before hiring a probate attorney you should become familiar with the probate process. Below are five questions that I have been asked many times by past clients. As with any service, I do believe that an informed client is a happier client. How do you bill for your...
by Lauren Jackson | May 19, 2017 | buying a home, Kane County, Real Estate, real estate closing, selling a home, Taxes
When it comes to issues with local real estate, one of the hardest things for people to understand is the property tax billing process. In Illinois, our property tax bills are billed in arrears. For instance, if you owned property in the year 2016, you will be paying...
by Lauren Jackson | May 2, 2017 | buying a home, Real Estate, real estate appraisal, selling a home, Uncategorized
If you are in the process of buying a home, I am sure there are a lot of unanswered questions you have. One such question is: will the home appraise out? Everyone on both sides of the transaction wants the home to appraise out for what was offered on the contract, but...
