BLOGS

“To my Valentine.  I love you and want to be sure you’ll be ok if something happens to me...”  Important considerations when leaving assets to a loved one.Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and it’s the perfect time to tell that special person how much you love them.  If you’re married, or in a committed relationship, you probably want to be sure that your spouse or significant other is taken care of after your death.  And you probably believe that the best way to do so is by leaving everything you have to him or her...

2019 is behind us and many are looking forward to a brighter, happier, healthier 2020.  There is so much happening in the world right now that we can’t control -- the government shutdown, Brexit, stock market fluctuations, to name just a few.  What can we each do in our own lives to ensure our own family is protected if an unexpected crisis happens in 2020 or future years?We can experience a life-changing, or life-ending, accident or illness at any time and at any age.  So make a plan.A basic estate plan for everyone over the age o...

There are so many good causes out there, and so many charitable organizations to serve them. What is important to you?  Perhaps it is research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer or some other disease that claimed the life of a loved one. Or, maybe you want to save abused animals or the rainforests, help underprivileged children, or aid the victims of domestic violence or natural disasters. You may wish to provide funds to your religious organization to assist in meeting its needs, or to your alma mater to offer scholarships or fa...

After a person passes away, his or her executor is responsible for managing the estate’s assets, determining what taxes are owed and paying them, distributing any assets to the beneficiaries and determining what debts need to be paid. While working with their Illinois estate planning attorneys, many wonder if they should name one of their children as the executor of their estate. Although this can be beneficial in some situations, parents should make this decision with great care.Qualities to considerAn executor should be honest,...

If you have aging parents, or even grandparents, you may be seeing that they need you to help and guide them, much as they did for you as child, to help them understand and make important health and financial decisions. They may not think they need your help and be very resistant to any assistance or advice you are offering, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep trying. Be there for them. Protect them as they used to protect you (even when you didn’t know or think you needed protecting!).Take it even further, spend some good, quali...