What is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)? A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is a specific form of trust that is created to more easily qualify an individual to receive Medicaid long-term care coverage. An individual who needs long-term care may transfer his/her assets into the MAPT and those assets will not disqualify the... Read more »
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) provides a powerful shield against aggressive debt collection tactics. The Act sets out requirements for debt collectors when attempting to collect a debt, and violating these requirements may give rise to a claim under the FDCPA. The FDCPA also provides protection in certain foreclosure matters and can play... Read more »
The Internet and social media hold your essential documents and information, digital property, and cherished memories. If you keep important documents and memories on the “cloud” or on Internet platforms, these items could be lost if they are not accounted for in your estate plan. Some websites will delete your account after a certain length... Read more »
Going through a divorce can be a difficult and emotional process for everyone involved, especially for children. A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child in a divorce case. In this article, we will discuss the role of a GAL in a... Read more »
The issue of adult guardianship turns on whether a person with a disability (“PWD”) is able to make and communicate responsible decisions about aspects of everyday life. The Illinois Probate Code defines “persons with a disability” as an individual 18 years or older who is not able to fully manage their person or estate... Read more »
When a homeowner defaults on their mortgage, meaning they fail to make their mortgage payments, the lender may initiate a foreclosure action against the homeowner. Many times, a homeowner misses mortgage payments due to unexpected financial struggles, such as a loss of job, divorce, unexpected medical expenses, or a death in the family. Foreclosure can... Read more »
Starting your own business can be a rewarding, yet daunting, task. It will take passion and perseverance in order to ensure your business will thrive. Before a business is permitted to operate, it must be recognized under the law which occurs only after proper formation. Steps to form a business vary depending on the... Read more »
The Illinois Safe-T Act (Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act), also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, is a statute that introduces significant reforms to various areas of the criminal justice system. One of the most significant changes made by the Safe-T Act include the elimination of cash bail in Illinois, the first state... Read more »
If you have a child turning 18, it is important for that child to create some basic estate planning documents. Many parents do not realize that once their children turn 18, the parents can no longer access protected health information or make decisions for their child. Parents usually discover this when their child’s doctor’s office... Read more »
Going through a divorce can be a difficult and emotional process for everyone involved, especially for children. A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child in a divorce case. In this article, we will discuss the role of a GAL in a... Read more »