by Lauren Jackson | Sep 7, 2026 | Attorney, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney
Years ago, I wrote about an investigative report that caught some of the country’s largest life insurers sitting on death benefits — their position, more or less, was that it wasn’t their job to tell you a policy existed. You had to know to ask. A lot has...
by Lauren Jackson | Aug 15, 2026 | Attorney, Billing, Estate Planning, Joint Trust, Lawyer, Trusts, Wills
Choosing the right estate planning attorney matters as much as the plan itself — a poorly drafted will or trust is one of the leading causes of legal malpractice claims in Illinois. Before you hire anyone, ask these seven questions. 7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an...
by Lauren Jackson | Jul 3, 2026 | Attorney, Lawyer, Power of Attorney
A lot of the calls I get about adult guardianship start the same way: an adult child has noticed their mom or dad can no longer keep track of their bills, or a family member calls because a brother was in an accident and can no longer make his own medical decisions....
by Lauren Jackson | May 5, 2026 | Estate Planning, 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 | Jan 23, 2026 | 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 | Oct 18, 2025 | 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...
