Category: Estate Planning

Reviewing Your Estate Plan
Estate Planning Attorney
Posted March 08, 2017

Many people believe that estate planning is a one-time event and that after creating a trust or drafting a will, a testator’s work is done. In reality, testators are urged to monitor their wills and trusts regularly to ensure that they reflect any changes in the testator’s circumstances. If you live in Illinois and are […]

Read More
New Illinois Law Amends Inheritance Rights of Unborn Children
Posted November 22, 2016

This year, the Illinois Legislature passed the Illinois Parentage Act, which makes a significant change to probate law in regards to posthumous children. Under the terms of the new provisions, a posthumous child will not be considered a decedent’s child for inheritance purposes unless the child was in utero at the time of death. Although […]

Read More
The Truth is Stranger than Fiction
Posted November 17, 2016

The Truth is Stranger than Fiction Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky This story is based on a real case involving a man who created a solid plan for his estate that, unfortunately, went completely wrong. Here is what happened. In 2005, Joe Bartlett, owner of Optimum Manufacturing, created a will leaving everything except his business […]

Read More
Planning for the Family Vacation Spot
Posted September 23, 2016

Planning for the Family Vacation Spot Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky Your family cabin, cottage, or vacation home may be one of your most significant financial assets. It is also likely to be the one with the most enduring memories and emotional ties. The property may have been in your family for decades with your […]

Read More
Important Decisions in Illinois Estate Planning
Posted August 22, 2016

Important Decisions in Illinois Estate Planning Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky Estate planning is an extremely important process that individuals with significant assets need to take seriously in order to ensure their final wishes are carried out as desired, and to mitigate the possibilities of legal challenges to those intentions. While some may dread the […]

Read More
The Top Ten Estate Planning Issues
Posted August 18, 2016

The Top Ten Estate Planning Issues Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky A colleague of ours recently assembled a list of the top 10 estate planning issues. This list is a great tool to assure that key items are not overlooked. All of these issues deserve thoughtful consideration. They can also create major problems if not […]

Read More
When Co-Administrators Cannot Agree
Posted March 03, 2016

When Co-Administrators Cannot Agree Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky While it is not commonplace, some individuals choose to nominate two co-executors over their estate in their wills (or the grantor of a trust will appoint two co-trustees). When such an arrangement is utilized, the purpose is generally to ensure that one executor trustee does not […]

Read More
Four Estate-Planning Resolutions for 2016
Posted February 17, 2016

Four Estate-Planning Resolutions for 2016 Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky The New Year is off to a roaring (tumultuous, if you are watching the stock market) start. What better time to take a moment and consider your estate planning needs? Here are four easy resolutions to help you protect your assets and provide for your […]

Read More
Should you Review Your Current Estate Plan?
Posted November 11, 2015

Should you Review Your Current Estate Plan? Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky Should you Review Your Current Estate Plan? Estate planning is essential for all those with children, who own a home, own a business, may need long-term care, and in many other situations. Jenny and Bill recently met with their attorney for a review […]

Read More
Do I Need a Living Trust?
Posted October 20, 2015

Do I Need a Living Trust? Provided By Alan G. Orlowsky Most individuals are familiar with the basic concept of a will: it is a legal document that, if properly executed and admitted into probate, informs the court what you would like to happen to your property and affairs once you die. A will is […]

Read More