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Your family member went through a meticulous estate planning process to organize and distribute money and property for the benefit of their loved ones, including you. But you may suspect that some of the high-value items in their estate originated as stolen property. The possibility of discovering stolen items within an estate is often overlooked,…

Estate planning can be a significant part of successful financial management, especially for married couples. One key consideration is minimizing estate taxes, which can substantially affect the distribution of money and property to a married couple’s loved ones.  What Are Gift and Estate Taxes? In 2024, a $13.61 million federal exemption per person for gifts…

Creating an estate plan is one of the most effective ways to ensure that you leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones. But if you’re just getting started or are exploring your options, it’s normal for the estate planning process to feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, those feelings of overwhelm can lead to several common mistakes….

Creating an estate plan is an essential step in making sure your loved ones are cared for and your wishes are honored when you pass away. Unfortunately, many people end up making mistakes when creating an estate plan that makes it harder for their loved ones in the long run. While working with an Illinois…

Without an estate plan in place, it’s up to the state to distribute your property fairly to your closest living relatives and family members. Creating an estate plan is a simple and effective way to make sure your loved ones are looked after when you’re no longer able to provide for them or when you…

Creating a comprehensive estate plan is the best way to preserve your legacy and ensure that you’re leaving your loved ones with a clear plan to follow when you pass away. There are many ways to accomplish this, but two of the most common methods people use to leave clear instructions and provide for their…

Leaving a lasting legacy is a priority for many people, and creating a good plan with the help of an Illinois estate planning attorney can help you do just that. But before you start drafting a will, it’s helpful to make sure you understand the order of inheritance in Illinois. This determines who inherits what…

Estate plans are far from static things. They can and should grow with you throughout your life. But many people end up creating an estate plan and letting it sit for years on end. Reviewing your plan regularly is the best way to make sure it adequately represents your wishes and protects your full estate…

There are a lot of misconceptions circulating about estate planning, and those misconceptions can encourage people to put it off for far longer than they should. Your Illinois estate planning lawyers at Legacy & Life Law Firm want you to be able to prepare for your future with confidence. Here are a few key things…