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Recent blog posts
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Today, cryptocurrency and other digital assets are often a key part of your net worth. Whether you started mining bitcoin when it started or have invested well in NFTs, you want to ensure they are passed down to your next generation. The thing is, digital assets require a little extra attention as compared to typical…
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How to Use LLCs and Trusts Together for Asset Protection in Illinois
: How to Use LLCs and Trusts Together for Asset Protection in IllinoisAsset protection is a critical component of estate planning and business strategy. This is especially true in Illinois, where litigation risks, creditor claims, and probate exposure can threaten your financial legacy. By combining Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) with trusts, individuals and families can create a layered defense that protects real estate, business interests, and personal…
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Blended families are those formed through remarriage, adoption, or cohabitation. They face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning. In Illinois, ensuring that your spouse, children, stepchildren, and other loved ones are protected requires careful legal strategy. Without a comprehensive estate plan, your assets may not be distributed according to your wishes, potentially leading…
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The first time I heard the word “probate” was after I had finished law school and passed the bar exam. If you are lucky, the probate process is a foreign concept to you. But most people come across it at some point in their lifetime, and we are here to demystify what exactly probate is. …
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There are two types of estate planning: will-based planning and trust-based planning. Our office only does trust-based planning. While a Last Will and Testament will direct your executor how to distribute your property, your executor will be required to go to probate court to collect and distribute your property, opening up your estate to the…
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Folks often believe that only the wealthy need a will or a trust. As a matter of fact, having an estate plan is not only about passing wealth on to future generations or avoiding taxes. People Who Need an Estate Plan Estate planning has numerous benefits for all of the following groups. If you fall…
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What do you do when you’ve lost a trust? You go back to basics: the elements of a trust, and when all else fails, probate! A Short Story About a Client Who Lost a Trust We had a case where a client’s mother (let’s call the mother Betty Smith) had deeded her home into trust…
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When my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, my parents were living in my childhood home in Wilmette, and they had a modest life savings. In the course of sharing my dad’s diagnosis with friends and family, one thing they kept hearing was how expensive Long Term Care would be; the cost could completely drain their…
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Listing your Chicago property on Airbnb may seem lucrative, but if you’re not careful, it can cost you. Homeowners who want to list their property must be careful to avoid penalties by paying attention to the restrictions in the Chicago Shared Housing Ordinance and their building’s governing documents. The restrictions are noted below, along with…
