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Plain-English articles on estate planning in Illinois.
Capital Gains and Inherited Property: How Smart Planning Can Save Your Family Thousands
Taxes are an unpleasant part of inheriting a house, farm, or brokerage account. But it’s critical to understand how capital gains rules apply, particularly in Illinois. An experienced estate planning attorney can explain how capital gains rules apply to inherited property. It can be the difference between a manageable transition and an unexpected tax bill.
June 27, 2026
Why Young Families in Naperville Need an Estate Plan (Not Just New Parents)
Consistently rated as one of the best places in Illinois to raise a family, Naperville has good schools and a strong sense of community. Yet living in such a sought-after location isn’t enough to ensure your family’s future security. Busy parents often overlook creating an estate plan. Estate planning isn’t only for new parents or
June 7, 2026
Tax Mistakes Families Make When Passing Down Wealth
Passing wealth to the next generation is a meaningful act that is best accomplished with proper planning and thorough knowledge of state and federal tax law. An experienced tax and estate planning attorney can prevent you from making common tax mistakes that unnecessarily erode inheritances. Careful attention to details can help Illinois families when faced
May 28, 2026
What Happens to Minor Children Without a Guardianship Plan?
If a parent dies when their children are young, a guardian steps in to care for them. However, if the parent did not leave the correct documents naming a guardian for their children, a court will make the decision about who raises them. An experienced estate planning attorney can help parents secure their children’s futures
May 16, 2026
How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
An estate plan is a comprehensive portfolio of your assets, prepared to maximize distribution to your selected heirs, carry out your healthcare directives, and minimize tax impacts and administrative fees paid through probate. After working with an estate planning attorney to establish accounts and directives, signing the document isn’t the end of the process. An
May 16, 2026
What Happens to Your Mortgage When You Die?
A mortgage doesn’t simply disappear when you die. Your heirs, your estate, or your co-borrower must resolve the mortgage. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you understand your end of life options, including the disposition of a mortgage. Accounting for it and other debts in a comprehensive estate plan will save your family time
April 24, 2026
What Happens If Your Spouse Dies Without a Will in Illinois?
When a spouse dies without a will in Illinois, the state takes over—and the results are unlikely to match what was expected or intended. Dying without a will can introduce financial complications and add stress to an already difficult time. Having a will can help your family avoid this bureaucratic turmoil and additional uncertainty. An
April 16, 2026
What is a Living Trust vs. a Will—Which is Right for You?
Wills and living trusts are two common estate planning tools. Knowing how they work and when you need them can impact your family’s future. An experienced estate planning attorney can demystify the tools and objectives of end-of-life planning, particularly one trained in Illinois probate process and state statutes. They can explain the purposes and interactions
March 25, 2026
Should You Put Your Vacation Home in a Trust?
When preparing an estate plan, deciding to put a beloved vacation home into a trust should be a simple matter. It’s one of the best ways to transfer the property to heirs. Leaving your vacation property unprotected by a trust can create headaches for your heirs. An attorney who specializes in estate planning can explain
March 20, 2026
Planning for Special Needs Children: What Illinois Parents Should Know
Day-to-day care giving demands are significant for children with special needs. Thinking ahead to their future and long-term financial security, as well as legal protection, can be overwhelming to consider. To quiet understandable concerns about your child’s future, don’t put off learning about the legal tools, savings vehicles, and proactive planning methods available to parents .
March 13, 2026
Do I Pay Income Tax on Inherited Assets?
Planning is an important part of understanding and controlling your finances. While it’s nice to receive an inheritance, not knowing how it might impact your taxes and other income-based reporting can cause stress. The short answer to whether you pay taxes on an inheritance is no, yet there are exceptions to that rule. Discussing your
February 27, 2026
How to Decide Whether to Leave Your Business to Your Children
Passing a business along to the next generation is an admirable milestone but it requires many complex steps. There are many things to consider before starting the process, including a careful analysis of family dynamics, tax implications, and legal requirements. Having the guidance and thorough knowledge of an experienced business law attorney is critical to
February 26, 2026