Physicians spend years building a thriving practice—but many overlook the estate planning steps that protect their business, income, and family if something unexpected happens. The result? Court delays, tax headaches, operational chaos, and personal exposure. Here are the top 10 estate planning mistakes doctors commonly make—and how to avoid them. 1. Not Having a [...]
Corporate executives in Wisconsin often receive a large portion of their compensation through restricted stock units (RSUs), stock grants, or employer equity awards. As your shares vest, they can quickly become a significant part of your net worth—and with that comes complex questions about taxes, transfer planning, and probate exposure. One of the most [...]
If you’re a business owner in Illinois preparing for a sale, here’s a question most people don’t think to ask: “Is my estate plan ready for this transaction?” And the honest answer is usually: not yet. Selling a company — especially a family-owned business — isn’t just a financial transaction. It’s a major estate [...]
It’s Halloween—a season of ghosts, goblins, and spooky surprises. But one of the scariest things you can leave behind for your family isn’t a haunted house. It’s your digital ghosts—unprotected online accounts, lost passwords, and forgotten assets that come back to haunt your loved ones. What Are Digital Ghosts? A Facebook account that can’t [...]
Imagine this: your family tries to log into your email or PayPal account after you pass away, but they’re blocked. Without proper planning, your digital assets could be locked forever, no matter how valuable they are. That’s why legal tools matter. The Problem with “Just Sharing Passwords” Handing over a password list may sound [...]
Think about your online life: email, Facebook, Instagram, cloud storage, bank accounts, crypto wallets. Now imagine your loved ones trying to access those accounts after you’re gone. Could they log in? Would they even know where to start? Digital assets often die with their owner—not because heirs don’t want them, but because they can’t [...]
When most people think about estate planning, they picture bank accounts, real estate, investments, or family heirlooms. But in today’s world, an equally important part of your legacy lives online: your digital assets. From photos stored in the cloud to cryptocurrency wallets, your digital life carries value—both sentimental and financial. Ignoring these assets could [...]
When a loved one passes away in Illinois, their estate often needs to go through a legal process called probate. Probate ensures that debts are paid, taxes are filed, and assets are distributed according to the person’s will or, if there is no will, under Illinois intestacy laws. At the center of this process [...]
Can You Avoid Probate in Illinois? Probate has a reputation for being slow, expensive, and stressful—and for good reason. In Illinois, the probate process can take months (sometimes more than a year) and often involves court filings, legal fees, and public records. The good news? With the right planning, you may be able to [...]
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a person’s estate after they pass away. While probate helps ensure assets are distributed properly, it doesn’t always move quickly. Families are often surprised by how long the process can take — and how many bumps can appear along the way. If you’re preparing to handle an [...]
