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Recent blog posts
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Asset protection is often perceived as a concern for the wealthy or the elderly, but young adults in Illinois also have significant reasons to consider safeguarding their assets. Whether you’re just starting your career, building savings, or investing in your first home, understanding how to protect your assets can provide financial security and peace of…
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The loss of a loved one is a difficult time, and on top of emotional burdens, there are often legal matters to address. In Illinois, probate is the court process that oversees the administration of an estate, ensuring debts are settled and assets are distributed according to the deceased’s wishes (or by state law if…
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After a person passes away, there are situations where their estate will enter into probate. During this time, the court will administer and distribute the deceased’s assets and pay off any debts. While it is often necessary, probate can be a costly and time-consuming process. However, there are strategies you can use to reduce these…
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Placing business assets in a trust can offer many benefits. A trust can help with asset protection, estate planning, and managing the business after an owner’s death. However, trust law can be complicated, and it would be best to seek advice from a qualified professional. Whether you live in Illinois or New York, here are…
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Receiving a windfall, such as a cash settlement or inheritance, can be a life-changing event. However, for individuals who rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits, it can also be a cause for concern. Fortunately, a few options can help individuals keep their SSI and Medicaid benefits while benefiting from the extra resources….
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You may think that an irrevocable trust is set in stone and its terms can never be changed. This is not the case. Say Auntie Anne dies leaving the proceeds from her successful pretzel chain business in her trust to her two brothers, Barclay and Clemson, naming her nephew Dusty as her trustee. The trust…
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Probate assets refer to any property (“asset”) owned by a decedent that must go through probatecourt to be transferred to the people who will ultimately inherit them. Probate is an expensivepublic proceeding, so if you want to maximize your estate and/or keep ownership of assetsprivate, note the common types of assets that typically go through…
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Options for Protecting Medicaid and SSI Benefits After a Windfall
: Options for Protecting Medicaid and SSI Benefits After a Windfall
If you are receiving a lump sum windfall, such as a lawsuit settlement, and you receive eitherSSI or Medicaid (or both), you will be temporarily cut off from your benefits until you re-qualify. You can avoid this cut off by contacting an attorney to take certain legal steps that willprotect your windfall and allow you…
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When I was 15, I was in a car accident that hospitalized me for 6 weeks. Because I was a minor, the doctors treating me could legally communicate freely with my parents. Had I been 18, the doctors could not have spoken with my parents without a power of attorney in place. Our firm’s strong…