Category: Estate Planning Attorney

No one can predict the future, especially when it comes to our own mortality. For this reason, it usually pays to be as prepared as possible when it comes to the estate planning process. This includes not only creating an initial estate plan, but also updating that estate plan after major life changes. Failing to […]

When a person dies, his or her estate is distributed to surviving loved ones through the process of inheritance. Inheritances can take many forms, including cash endowments, stocks, real estate and personal property. However, how these assets are distributed, and to whom they are given, depends in large part on the decedent. For instance, those […]

A properly executed will can ensure a testator’s estate is distributed according to his/her wishes upon death. However, as their estate grows, it is also not uncommon for testators to use more sophisticated estate planning tools, such as a Family Wealth Trust. While it is true these types of trusts can be used as a […]

One of the most important goals for many testators is to leave as much of their property to family members and loved ones as possible. Unfortunately, the taxes assessed against an heir or beneficiary’s inheritance, which are also known as estate taxes, after a testator passes away, can significantly reduce the size of the inheritance […]

There is no easy way to know for sure whether a will is at risk of being contested after a testator passes away. This is especially true in cases where a person drafts a will many decades in advance of his or her death and does not change it to account for alterations in relationships […]

Many people assume that estate planning is only for older adults, or for wealthy individuals who need to make intricate plans for trusts, estate and gift taxes, and business succession. However, it is also extremely important for young adults to think about estate planning and to speak with a Chicago estate planning attorney about creating […]

What Is A Letter Of Testamentary? Although those who have been named as an estate’s executor have a number of important duties, one of the most significant involves gathering the decedent’s assets and transferring them to the named beneficiaries through the probate process. However, these proceedings can only be initiated after an executor has obtained […]

When many people think about the contents of a will, they imagine gifts and inheritances of assets and property left to loved ones. While this is an important aspect of any estate plan, it is also critical for testators to remember that they should strongly consider naming an executor in their will as well. Executors […]

Becoming a parent is no longer a joy reserved for the very young, as scientific advances and changing attitudes have made it easier than ever to become a late-in-life parent. While the requirements of parenthood may remain the same for both younger and older parents, the reality is that parents who start families at an […]

Contesting a will in Illinois can be a difficult process, especially for those who don’t have legal representation, so if you believe that your loved one’s will doesn’t represent his or her true wishes or you have other legal questions or concerns about a deceased relative’s estate, it is important to speak with an experienced […]