Peace of Mind for New Moms and Dads

A brand new baby brings a special kind of chaos to your home. In the midst of sleep deprivation, midnight feedings, and seemingly endless diaper changes, estate planning is likely the last thing on your mind. And yet, making an…

Considering a Refinance? What You Should Know

In order to know whether or not you should refinance, it is important to understand exactly what it means to refinance. Refinancing is the extinguishing of the old loan agreement with a new agreement between the lender and the borrower.…

3 Ways to Pass Your House to Your Children

Your home is probably your most valuable asset. You are clear about whom you want to end up with when you die. If you’re a parent, you want your kids to inherit your home. Ensure that your wishes become reality.…

How to Protect Your Money from Medicaid

The elderly may find themselves facing financial ruin in their later years. Fortunately, there’s Medicaid, but in most cases, they have to spend down almost all their savings — money they may have spent their entire working lives amassing. Fortunately,…

Great Wealth and the Next Generation

Estate Planning Lawyer in Palatine IL If you’re thinking of transferring assets to your children, grandchildren and distant descendants, you may want to consider using a grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) or an intentionally defective grantor trust (IDGT). Both estate…

Planning for the Unexpected

Estate Planning Lawyer in Palatine IL “Shirtsleeves to Shirtsleeves” is a phrase I heard at a recent estate planning attorney conference.  It means that often wealth is created by the 1st Generation, perhaps an immigrant who comes to the United…

Plan Before You Get On That Plane

Estate Planning Lawyer in Palatine IL It’s summertime! Because many people did not go on vacation in 2020, the airports and hotels are booming again with tourists and visitors.  I read an article that the mayor of Maui is asking…

What to Do With a Windfall

Estate Planning Lawyer in Palatine IL We’ve all had dreams about striking it rich with a Powerball lottery, a progressive jackpot win, or an unexpected inheritance and all the things we’d buy with it. But what would you do if…

I’m a Trustee! Now What?

Estate Planning Lawyer in Palatine IL It is an honor to be named the successor Trustee of a loved one’s Trust. As the name implies, you’ve been given a position of trust and responsibility, and it means that your loved…

The Misunderstood Living Trust

Estate Planning Lawyer in Palatine IL What are the benefits of a living trust? It allows you to retain control over the trust property until death. The trust is turned over to the successor trustee, who is chosen by you,…