Estate Planning

If you are being honest with yourself, you most likely realize that it would be best for you to have some type of estate plan in place. At the very least, you should have a last will and testament. Most of us understand that it is generally better to make our own decisions regarding our assets than to allow the state to make decisions about them when we die. To be blunt, we cannot take our money and property with us, which means that there should be some sort of […]

According to estimates from the federal government, an overwhelming majority of American adults support the idea of organ donation. In fact, the concept has the support of 95 percent of the U.S. adult population. With this in mind, it is a bit perplexing to realize that only 58 percent are actually registered organ donors! In my practice as an estate planning attorney, I am often approached by clients who have questions about organ donation and how to include their wishes regarding the matter in their estate plans. Fortunately for those […]

The period immediately following the death of a close loved one is nearly always challenging, even if the death was the result of a long illness or health problems dating back many years. In the midst of your grief, it can be very troubling to discover that the will your loved one created was recently updated in a manner that seems to be suspicious. This is especially true if the recent changes seem to benefit one beneficiary in particular. If you have any reason to suspect that the heir in […]

While the internet has been around in some form since the late 1960s, its expansion in the last three decades has literally changed the world. Today, almost every part of our lives is or can be connected to the internet, including our education systems and even our household appliances. In my practice as an attorney, I have also witnessed how the internet affects people’s approach to various areas of the law, including their concerns regarding estate planning. Currently, hundreds—and possibly thousands—of websites purport to offer advice on estate planning as […]

As an experienced estate planning attorney, I frequently remind clients of the many advantages to creating an estate plan. Although a shocking number of Americans do not have estate plans in place, drafting a will, trust, or or other estate planning document can greatly benefit you as well as your loved ones your loved ones. Not only does estate planning put you in charge of your healthcare, property, and finances, having estate plans also saves your family burdensome decision-making responsibilities. Complications with estate plans can arise, however, when an individual […]

In my numerous years as an estate planning attorney, I have helped many people achieve their personal and financial goals through a personalized estate plan. Whether it is drafting a will, trust, guardianship, or other estate planning document, having a comprehensive estate plan puts you in control of personal decisions instead of leaving these important decisions up to loved ones or the state. When a person with a will passes away, that will must go through a formal court process called probate. There are many reasons that people wish to […]

According to the law, a person cannot enter into a legally binding contract such as a will or trust if they cannot fully understand what they are agreeing to. Many wills have been contested by family members who had concerns about their deceased loved one’s testamentary capacity, or cognitive wellness. In my experience as an estate planning lawyer, I have helped clients who worried that their loved one’s will did not accurately reflect their loved one’s final wishes. Lack of testamentary capacity is one of the most common reasons wills […]

When the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin died last year, there was a great deal written about how she died without a will or any other type of estate plan in place. In fact, I even discussed that very topic in a post on this blog around the time of her death. In recent months, however, reports have surfaced indicating that several handwritten wills were found in the singer’s home. The wills were reportedly signed and dated, but they were neither notarized nor witnessed, so there are still many questions […]

In today’s world, most people are constantly being asked to donate to one cause or another. You can hardly go into a store or open your mail without seeing some type of donation request. As a practicing lawyer and a proud member of the Naperville community, I understand that charitable organizations provide a wide range of valuable services to their intended beneficiaries. I also know that those who donate often gain a sense of personal satisfaction from helping people in need or those suffering from a serious illness or debilitating […]

Estate planning includes more than creating a will or trust to address the disposition of your assets after you pass away. Estate planning also deals with decisions about future medical care you do and do not wish to receive. Have you ever considered what type of death-delaying treatments you would want to receive if you were gravely ill? For example, would you want to be kept alive via a ventilator even if doctors did not believe you would ever regain consciousness? Creating a comprehensive estate plan allows you to be […]