Illinois Estate Planning Legal Guides (20 found)

Written by Barry Benjamin Kreisler
A guide to the considerations, options and steps that should be evaluated or taken in creating an estate plan for Illinois Pet Owners.
Posted 9 months ago in Estate Planning. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
Before hiring an attorney in any area, it's important to make an informed decision about who you want to represent you. Here are a few criteria to consider when hiring an estate planning or probate attorney in Illinois.
Posted 6 months ago in Estate Planning. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Paul A. Smolinski
Many families work their entire lifetime to build a "nest egg." In the unfortunate event that Mom or Dad develop dementia or have a stroke - their life savings can be gone in a few years leaving the other in poor financial condition. The time to start your research and planning is NOW!
Posted 8 months ago in Elder Law. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Ahmad Tayseer Sulaiman
Much has been written about Loan Modifications. The reality is that even after all the press about this subject many in the general population do not fully grasp what a Loan Modification is. Notwithstanding popular belief, banks are not under any legal obligation to complete a Loan Modification.
3 of 3 users found this helpful. Posted 6 months ago in Foreclosure. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Lindsey Paige Markus
In 2009, the federal estate tax exemption is different from the Illinois state tax exemption. As a result, your estate may be subject to tax under your existing documents. Learn more about how a simple revision to your living trust can save your estate $209,124!
Posted 6 months ago in Estate Planning. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Joel Armstrong Schoenmeyer
Illinois law requires anyone in possession of an original Will of a deceased person to file it with the clerk of the appropriate court. What's the procedure for doing that? This how-to guide covers Cook County, but many of its points are applicable to other Illinois counties as well.
18 of 24 users found this helpful. Posted about 1 year ago in Probate. Jurisdiction: Cook County, IL

Written by Diane Marie Ainsworth
Often parents and grandparents purchase life insurance and open bank accounts and put the names of minor children on them as beneficiaries. Sometimes a will may provide that a share of the assets be given to a minor. Without more, this common mistake can be costly.
4 of 5 users found this helpful. Posted 9 months ago in Guardianship. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Ben Neiburger
As I talk to healthcare professionals and clients about some of the elder-law related problems they face, one of the problems that we frequently discuss is the situation where people do not have advanced directives in place when they become disabled, sick, or injured.
Posted 8 months ago in Elder Law. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Ben Neiburger
During the rare occasions that I am not working and I am out with friends, they frequently ask when during dying process should they call an elder law attorney. The answer to this depends on where in the process a loved one is: before a healthcare crisis occurs, during the crisis, or after death.
3 of 4 users found this helpful. Posted 8 months ago in Elder Law. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Ben Neiburger
There are many ways to protect your home from long term care, this guide describes several of them.
1 of 1 users found this helpful. Posted 8 months ago in Elder Law. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
When someone dies in Illinois, their estate (basically their property) must be dealt with. This is called the probate process. The executor is the official representative of the estate and they, along with an attorney, perform the following duties.
Posted 3 months ago in Probate. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
When a person dies without a will -- or if their will is invalid -- they are considered "intestate." This means that their estate will be distributed based on a state law rather than their individual wishes. Here is how the Illinois intestate law distributes an estate.
Posted 3 months ago in Probate. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
If you want to challenge a will in Illinois, you will need to prove one of the following to be successful. When a will is invalidated, the estate is distributed as if there was no will (state law determines who gets what).
1 of 1 users found this helpful. Posted 5 months ago in Wills / Living Wills. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
Probate is the process of handling an estate after an individual's death. During probate, debts are paid and assets are distributed. Here is a brief overview of the probate process in Cook County, Illinois.
0 of 1 users found this helpful. Posted 4 months ago in Probate. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
If you are worried that a family member is unable to care for themselves due to mental deterioration or illness, you may be wondering if you can be appointed as their guardian. This guide explains the types of guardianship and how to go about getting guardianship in Illinois.
Posted 3 months ago in Guardianship. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
This guide explains a couple of different ways in which attorneys are paid in Illinois probate cases.
Posted about 1 month ago in Probate. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Michael J. Helfand
It's a common term -- power of attorney -- but not everyone understands what it means. Here is an overview of a power of attorney for healthcare, and how to get one.
Posted 2 months ago in Power Of Attorney. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Christopher Salvatore Nudo
We often tell our children to learn from someone else’s mistake and to use it as an example of how to do things differently. Don’t let the next unforeseen crisis be any more frightening than it has to be. Don’t let your next trip to the hospital be the incentive you need to do or update your will
Posted 9 days ago in Power Of Attorney. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by Brian Joseph Cohan
It is essential that in addition to a Last Will and Trust, every individual should have the following companion documents: 1. Durable Power of Attorney for Property; 2. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care; 3. HIPAA Authorization; 4. Declaration of Living Will;
Posted about 1 month ago in Power Of Attorney. Jurisdiction: Illinois

Written by David Leibowitz
Don’t ignore demands or legal papers you get from a mortgage lender or its attorney. You may have substantial rights, but only if you defend yourself.
1 of 1 users found this helpful. Posted about 1 year ago. Jurisdiction: Illinois