Will Your Family Receive the Trusted Estate Planning Help it Needs? Since Kobe’s wife, Vanessa, survives him (and it’s been widely reported that they married without a prenuptial agreement), it is most likely that she will inherit everything. And due to the “spousal exemption,” those assets will pass to her tax free. Estate planning [...]
Kobe Bryant’s Untimely Death Highlights the Vital Need for an Estate Plan at All Ages. You have likely already heard that on January 26, 2020, basketball legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles, California. Also killed in the tragic accident was his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers, [...]
In Severson v. Heartland Woodcraft, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals provided clear guidance that a request for leave of two months or more is “too much” to be considered as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA under any circumstances. Employers often deal with situations in which an employee is temporarily unable to work as [...]
Our clients often ask us where to keep their important documents, such as estate planning documents (wills, trusts, and powers of appointment), insurance policies, contracts, and other important financial documents. The answer to this question often depends on how quickly you need to gain access to such documents. For instance, without the requisite power [...]
Good news! On December 20th, the Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed SB 867 into law, reducing Illinois' excessive limited liability company's (LLCs) filing and maintenance fees. This law went into effect immediately upon signing, i.e. December 20, 2017. Although Illinois has a long way to go to make this state attractive for small businesses [...]
The holidays are quickly approaching and many of you will have a chance to see your parents and, for some of you, your grandparents. This would be an excellent opportunity to discuss your parents’ future and estate planning needs among the loved ones. Yet, discussing the retirement plans and estate planning needs with your [...]
Every small business owner is faced with various business risks, whether related to an injury, theft, damage to property, employee discrimination claims, or liability suits. As much as you plan for success, as a business owner, you must have these risks on your radar. You should be prepared if and when they materialize. What [...]
Protect assets and preserve your legacy. When was the last time you asked yourself - “what would happen if I die or become incapacitated”? Have you asked yourself - “will my children be protected or will my family be able to easily take over my financial affairs?” “Will my ex-husband or wife be awarded [...]
A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking of my grandparents. Life after retirement could be hard I thought. Being alone and old isn’t so much fun. What if we create a day dedicated to celebrating our grandparents? A national holiday for everyone to visit their grandparents and make them feel special – a [...]
Same sex couples often face unique challenges when it comes to an estate planning. Since the states’ intestacy laws have been historically focused on traditional families, same-sex couples may face challenges if one of them passes without an estate plan. Since the United States Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriages in June 2015, [...]
