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Plain-English articles on estate planning in Illinois.
What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Illinois?
Without a valid will, a person is considered “intestate” when they die. It’s legal jargon that means your estate will be decided by state law—not the individual—in probate court. This situation is easy to avoid by completing the correct paperwork. It will make your family’s life easier, save time and money, and doesn’t require a
October 23, 2025
What Newlyweds in Illinois Should Know About Estate Planning
Marriage and other major milestones in life should trigger emotion—joy or sorrow—as well as reckoning. They are events that estate planning professionals hope people recognize as prompts to reevaluate and document their end of life plans. It’s never too early to make an appointment with a professional estate planning attorney to discuss your assets, heirs,
October 23, 2025
Estate Planning for Blended Families in Illinois: How to Prevent Disputes
Blended families are those in which one or both partners have children from prior relationships. When these families merge—often sharing households—they are considered “blended.” Statistics show that about 16 percent of children in the U.S. are living in blended family situations with stepparents, stepsiblings, or half-siblings. Nearly 40 percent of marriages include one person who
September 26, 2025
Should Your Business Be Included in Your Estate Plan?
Planning for the disposition of your assets should be comprehensive, including your personal and business assets. Failing to plan for the succession of your business can turn into a complicated task for your family members, who may not have the hands-on skills or knowledge to avoid debilitating tax bills, forced liquidation, or management chaos. With
September 26, 2025
What Inheriting Real Estate Really Means in Illinois—and How to Handle It
Inheriting a house seems like a windfall, but such a generous gift comes with many obligations. The reality of inheriting property includes taxes, maintenance, security, and management issues. An experienced estate planning attorney can describe your options for inheriting real estate, whether you keep or sell it. Rather than burdening you with additional work and
September 26, 2025
How Irrevocable Trusts and Gifting Can Reduce Your Illinois Estate Tax
Growing retirement savings through a 401(k), REIT, and other investment accounts enables many people to put away a significant nest egg. Yet it’s dismaying to learn how much of a bite is taken out of those funds by taxes, especially upon transfer to an heir. In Illinois, an estate tax of up to 16 percent
September 9, 2025
Keeping Your Naperville Home in the Family: Estate Planning Tips
Your family home is likely the site of many happy memories that become more poignant as you age. As wonderful as it is to have a secure place that you enjoy, it’s an asset that must be included in your end of life plans. Passing the home along to a family member or heir takes
September 5, 2025
How to Respond to Illinois Department of Revenue Notices
Staying on the right side of the Illinois Department of Revenue (ILDOR) means getting small issues taken care of before they become significant problems. Some notices you receive from the state agency are as simple as confirming your identity while others may require financial documents to support recent tax returns or claims. It’s crucial to
August 22, 2025
The Illinois Use Tax: What It Is and How to Stay Compliant
Doing business in Illinois can feel like running a gauntlet of taxes, but the state actually ranks near the middle of all states when ranked for total taxes levied, according to the Tax Foundation. That means the state charges a lot of different kinds of taxes but the cumulative total is average. Still, keeping track
August 19, 2025
How to Use an S Corp in Illinois to Reduce Self-Employment Taxes
Small businesses must use every advantage to maximize income and minimize expenses like taxes. But it’s hard enough to do all of the things required by your business and to be on top of tax code as well. A good accountant will make sure your taxes are accurate and take every deduction possible. But structuring
August 19, 2025
How Much Does Probate Cost in Illinois?
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is made much harder by the obligations you’re expected to meet immediately: there’s paperwork to file and arrangements to make. Delving into the lesser-known world of probate court is yet another hurdle. Whether you handle the probate process yourself or hire an attorney, there are costs involved
August 8, 2025
How to Avoid Family Disputes with a Solid Estate Plan in Illinois
Family disputes over inheritances are not uncommon, even if very few of them result in formally challenging a will in probate court. A lack of understanding about trusts and wills is part of the problem of family disputes. Not knowing the plans for dividing property – or the rationale behind the plan – can add
August 8, 2025