Who Should Consider a Charitable Remainder Trust?
A charitable remainder trust may suit someone who owns highly appreciated assets, wants a stream of payments for life or a set term, and intends to leave the remaining trust property to ...
Estate Planning for Blended Families and Special Considerations
Blended families often include a spouse, children from a prior relationship, stepchildren, jointly owned property, and assets acquired before the current marriage. A standard will may not answer who receives what, who ...
What Is a Charitable Remainder Trust and How Does It Work?
A charitable remainder trust is an irrevocable estate planning tool that lets someone transfer assets into a trust, receive income for a set period or for life, and leave the remaining assets ...
Common Mistakes People Make When Drafting Their Will
A will is supposed to make a difficult time easier for the people left behind. When it is unclear, incomplete, or not signed the right way, it can create confusion instead of ...
Estate Taxes in Illinois & Federal Estate Tax Basics
People often assume estate tax applies to every family that owns a home, savings, and a few investment accounts. In reality, most estates never owe federal estate tax. The key point is ...
Updating Your Estate Plan After Major Life Events
Life changes quickly, and significant milestones often affect more than just your daily routine—they shape your long-term financial and legal landscape. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or retirement can fundamentally ...
Wills vs Trusts: Which Is Right for You in Illinois?
When planning for the future, one of the most important decisions you can make is how to pass your assets to your loved ones. Two of the most common estate planning tools ...
How to Plan for Incapacity: Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives & Guardianships
Life is unpredictable, and planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. While many people think of estate planning in terms of what ...