Madison County Illinois Estate Planning Blog
Why is estate planning worth considering?
Estate planning is not only for wealthy people; anyone who leaves assets behind after passing away has an estate. There may also be issues related to debts and obligations that heirs in Illinois must address. Spending time with an attorney to effectively plan out a will or trust could make life less stressful and more […]
Read MoreShould you update your will if you move?
Estate planning in Illinois isn’t something that you do once: You need to do it multiple times in your life to make sure that your estate is up to date in case the unthinkable happens. If you recently moved to Illinois from another state, is that a major life event that requires you to update […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Probate
The term “probate” may not be one you’re familiar with, especially if you’re new to thinking about estate planning. Most people do not have a reason to think about probate until a loved one dies or they begin to think about their plans for their own future. However, probate is a very important part of […]
Read MoreWhat should you know about power of attorney for property?
Many people focus their estate planning efforts on what will happen after their death, but this focus can leave their plan incomplete. If illness or injuries leave you unable to manage your own affairs, powers of attorney could be key to protecting your financial health. What do powers of attorney allow your agent to do? […]
Read MoreLearn the basics of designing an estate plan
Creating an estate plan is an oversight for many people. Others avoid it simply because of the difficulties it presents over thinking about death – either our own or those of family members. A recent survey shows that only 42% of American adults currently have a will or living trust in place. Estate planning can […]
Read MoreWhat is a special needs trust and why might you need one?
There are many components to think about when you are creating your estate plan. One of these is trusts, which help you to transfer assets to your loved ones without them having to use the will and probate court to get this done. If you decide that you are going to establish trusts, there are […]
Read MoreTalk to your family about your estate plan
Having an estate plan is a must for all adults, but some might not discuss the contents of the plan with anyone. This can leave your loved ones confused and wondering what you were thinking when you created the plan. A better option is to have at least a brief discussion with them while you […]
Read MoreWhy do I need a health care power of attorney?
So you drafted your will and funded a small trust for the grandkids’ college expenses. You are relieved that your estate planning duties are now complete. But not so fast! You forgot one very important document. No estate plan is complete without a signed heath care power of attorney on file. Sometimes referred to as […]
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