No one likes to imagine their family fighting after they’re gone. Yet, probate courts in Illinois see it all the time—siblings stop speaking, step-families split apart, and inheritances vanish in legal fees. The sad truth? Most of these conflicts could have been avoided with a thoughtful estate plan. Why Family Drama Happens After a [...]
As the summer winds down and the school year begins, parents everywhere are checking supply lists, packing lunches, and signing permission slips. But there’s one important checklist that often gets overlooked: estate planning and emergency preparedness. While it’s not as fun as picking out new backpacks, taking time to put your legal and financial [...]
What Is National Will Month Anyway? August is National Will Month—a time when estate planning professionals everywhere encourage people to finally create or update their wills. But let’s be honest. “National Will Month” doesn’t exactly scream excitement. So, let’s flip the script. Instead of focusing on the legal paperwork, let’s focus on what a [...]
As much as we like to think we'll always be in control, life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs. What if an illness, accident, or the natural progression of aging leaves you unable to make your own financial or healthcare decisions? Without proper planning, this can lead to significant stress, financial burdens, and [...]
If you’re considering divorce, your estate plan probably isn’t the first thing on your mind—but it should be. In Illinois, having a will in place before you begin the divorce process can make a major difference in how your assets are handled, who makes decisions for you, and what happens if something unexpected occurs [...]
If you own a home in Illinois and pass away without a will, you may unintentionally leave your loved ones with legal confusion, delays, and unexpected outcomes. Many people assume their house will automatically go to their spouse or children, but that’s not always how it works. In this post, we’ll walk you through [...]
When it comes to estate planning, many people think a will is all they need. But if you want to truly protect your assets, avoid probate, and make things easier for your loved ones, a revocable living trust might be the better option. In this post, we’ll walk through what a revocable living trust [...]
Caring for Aging Parents: How to Protect Your Family and Your Future As parents age, their needs change—and those changes often fall on the shoulders of their adult children. From managing healthcare and finances to making tough legal decisions, caring for aging parents can feel overwhelming. If you're part of the "sandwich generation," juggling [...]
Losing a loved one is hard enough—facing a probate mess afterward can make it even harder. That’s exactly what happened to the Meyers family right here in Libertyville, Illinois. After their father passed away, the family believed he had a will—but no one could find it. What followed was months of confusion, stress, and [...]
This June 19th, as we observe Juneteenth National Independence Day, we reflect on a pivotal moment in American history – the day when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for freedom, equality, and [...]
