Tag: Naperville estate planning attorney
Talk About Death Openly To Make Things Easier For Your Loved Ones
Posted on November 29, 2022

Many people shy away from discussing death openly, but it is something that should be talked about as a part of life. Talking about your eventual passing ensures that everyone who cares about you knows how to best deal with things once you do pass away. Death can happen to anyone at any time, so it is important to have some ideas regarding funeral and burial services and what you want to be done for your children, pets, and important assets. When loved ones understand your wishes, they do not […]
Plan How To Best Distribute Items To Family And Friends
Posted on November 8, 2022

One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is detailed information about how to distribute your property upon your death. It can be a daunting task for surviving loved ones to take care of things once you have passed away. The more information you can provide in advance, the better. You may wish to leave some decisions to their discretion but leave detailed directions for certain items. The specifics are up to you, but getting a blueprint from you will help your loved ones get through the process […]
Retirement Planning Should Be Part of Your Estate Plan
Posted on October 11, 2022

Retirement planning is critical, and should ideally be started long in advance of your actual retirement date. By incorporating retirement planning into your overall estate plan, you can ensure that all your assets are properly handled and that necessary things like beneficiaries, transfer of ownership, and tax protection are in place for when you retire and also for when you pass away. For business owners, retirement planning is even more important. Retirement accounts and pensions must be addressed properly and thoroughly during retirement planning. There is an art to protecting […]
Steps to Take After a Loved One Dies
Posted on October 4, 2022

After a loved one dies, it can be difficult to know what steps to take. There is so much going on, and most people are not in the right mindset to be handling financial and estate matters after the death of a family member. Many people in this situation get overwhelmed and accidentally miss important steps. If someone close to you has recently passed away, make sure to address the following concerns. Tasks After a Family Member Passes Away If a very close friend, spouse, parent, sibling, or other loved […]
How Do You Include Non-Family Members In Your Will?
Posted on September 8, 2022

Many assume that heirs named in a will are always direct blood relatives of the testator. However, for many, the most important individuals in their lives are not relatives. Furthermore, some people no longer have living relatives. If you have people in your life who are deeply important to you but are not family members, you may be wondering how to include them in your will. There are a few different ways to do this, and the best way for you may depend on your specific circumstances. Proper estate planning […]
Being Prepared for Where Life Takes You
Posted on August 26, 2022

We know how fragile life is just by hearing the news of the world each day. We often don’t think how directly that can hit us, though, and the simple steps we can take to prepare for it. Ensuring your family knows where important documents and passwords are, discussing end-of-life wishes with loved ones, and notifying your family of your funeral and burial preferences can greatly decrease the legal, financial, and emotional difficulties associated with your passing. Benefits of Having Difficult Discussions with Your Loved Ones A recent study demonstrated […]
What Happens to The House When Someone Moves to a Nursing Home?
Posted on August 4, 2022

Millions of adults move into nursing homes as they get older. If you are planning to move into a long-term care facility, assisted living facility, or nursing home or you intend to move an aging relative to a facility, you may have many questions. Most people in your position wonder what will happen to the nursing home resident’s home when he or she moves to a nursing home. Will the home be sold? Will the home pass to the homeowner’s beneficiaries? Can proceeds from the home sale be used to […]
Planning For Illness or Incapacitation Should Be a Priority
Posted on July 26, 2022

Surprisingly, approximately 67 percent of Americans do not have a will or other estate planning documents in place. This means that 67 percent of Americans have no way to ensure that their final wishes are followed. They have given up the chance to direct how their worldly possessions are distributed to loved ones upon their death. Perhaps even more importantly, these individuals have given up the right to have a say in medical and financial decision-making if they become incapacitated. Although it is sad to consider, heart attacks, car accidents, […]
Are Handwritten Changes to Your Will Valid?
Posted on July 19, 2022

Writing a last will and testament is a crucial responsibility that many people neglect. When someone dies without a will, they forgo the chance to decide how their property is distributed to heirs. Wills may be used to determine which assets will be inherited by which heirs, appoint a guardian for minor children, describe funeral wishes, and more. Writing a will also saves surviving family members substantial stress and difficulty upon the testator’s death. Many people have questions about will requirements in Illinois. Do wills have to be typed to […]
Can A Lawyer Be Your Executor in Your Estate Plan?
Posted on June 28, 2022

Determining how assets will be distributed to heirs is just one aspect of building a comprehensive estate plan. You must also decide who will serve as the executor of your estate. The executor has the crucial duty of carrying out your last wishes. The list of executor responsibilities is long – especially for individuals with high-value or complex estates. The executor of an estate files the decedent’s will with the county court, notifies beneficiaries and heirs, pays creditors, and distributes assets to the correct parties. Who you choose as your […]