The only constant in life is change, and usually after a significant change, an individual may face the strenuous task of adjusting their estate plan. An estate plan may consist of a revocable trust, a will, or powers of attorneys. Below are the following ways in which an individual may revoke each of the following... Read more »
Do I Need an Irrevocable Trust? We are often asked by potential clients whether it makes sense to create an irrevocable trust. An irrevocable trust is a trust that is set up for a specific purpose and cannot be undone under most circumstances. Therefore, it is a permanent trust until the trust purpose has been... Read more »
During these unprecedented times, it is normal for you to want to take every necessary measure to make sure your family is always prepared. Imagine not being able to make legal decisions for your child going away to college. Without a power of attorney (POA), a parent cannot handle certain matters on behalf of their... Read more »
In Lake County, property taxes are some of the highest in the country. Every homeowners’ tax bill gets recalculated every year. Thankfully, you can take steps to try and lower your tax bill by appealing. Filing a tax appeal can be intimidating, but it’s a crucial step towards potentially lowering your tax bill in... Read more »
Illinois child custody rules are not always straightforward. Needless to say, in a divorce proceeding, a lot is potentially on the line. Understanding the child custody rules in Illinois is critical for ensuring the best outcome for you and your children. Let’s review the basics of child custody below: Illinois Child Custody Rules Child custody... Read more »
A qualified domestic relations order, or a QDRO, is a court order used to divide retirement plans between divorced spouses. They are an important tool for preserving a retirement plan’s tax advantages when its benefits are split. The process to get one can be complicated, so it’s definitely worth speaking to an experienced family law... Read more »
A wrongful death claim can be difficult to navigate. The law is not always clear about what a person is entitled to. Thankfully, wrongful death law is fairly broad in its wording, giving wrongful death claims wide latitude in the compensation they can recover. But this can complicate things at the same time. Especially if... Read more »
Domestic asset protection trusts (DAPTs) are powerful tools for shielding your assets from potential creditors. Understanding how DAPTs work can help you create a formidable, secure estate plan. However, they can be misused as well. This article aims to provide a brief overview of domestic asset protection trust basics and how to set one up... Read more »
1031 Exchange Rules & Benefits A 1031 exchange is one of the most powerful tools available to real estate investors. The 1031 exchange allows a real estate investor to avoid paying taxes on the sale of his or her property by rolling the proceeds into a new one. However, 1031 exchange rules can be tedious,... Read more »
Mortgage Foreclosure Relief In the COVID-19 Era The CARES Act began a new era of mortgage foreclosure relief options for homeowners. Not only can homeowners take advantage of mortgage forbearance in many cases, they can avoid the fear of foreclosure during the nationwide foreclosure eviction moratorium. However, there are some important guidelines to keep... Read more »