Updates, News and Reminders

A beneficiary is easy to name on a life insurance policy, deferred compensation account, or estate plan. However, those beneficiaries are often outdated, or through no fault of your own, they carry significant risk. Outdated Beneficiary Designations Having beneficiary names listed on policies and accounts that are no longer current to your wishes is more … Continue reading Beneficiary: It’s Time to Update Yours

Pets are Family We can all admit it. Our pets are part of our family. And they’ve earned it. What will happen to your pets when you are gone? It can be hard enough to face the reality that our time is limited, but our pets might very well outlive us.  Certainly, you should prepare … Continue reading Pets Should Not Be Overlooked in Your Living Trust

There are certain times of the year and certain times in your life when you should take a step back and organize. Under ordinary circumstances, fall is one of those times.

Death can preoccupy us during the COVID-19 crisis. There can be some good in that if we finally take care of our estate plan. Having a current estate plan makes all the difference for our family when the time comes. And when we do what is necessary, we can get on with the business of … Continue reading Steps to Take After the Death of a Family Member

There is good that comes from every challenging situation. Often, we have to let go of our resistance and take advantage of new opportunities. Most noteworthy, Zoom meetings are one of those opportunities.

Notice: In consideration of their front line work every day during this crisis, we are offering free Health Care and Financial Power of Attorney Documents to all Health Care Workers and First Responders. A complete Living Trust estate plan is offered for a 50% fee reduction. We can set up a remote signing in the comfort and safety of home.

On January 1, 2020, the SECURE Act became law. The new law will affect most retirement plan and IRA participants. SECURE Act Changes Affecting You Now The age limit is removed for contributions to traditional IRAs. Before the SECURE Act, you were required to stop making contributions at age 70½. However, now you can continue … Continue reading How Does the New SECURE Act Affect You?

The recently passed new Illinois Trust Code. covers ownership transfers of guns upon disability or death. Gun Ownership upon Disability With the new statute, gun ownership upon disability is fraught with potential issues. Even if you currently possess a FOID card, you may become ineligible to possess your guns if you are: Prohibited from possessing … Continue reading Gun Transfers Following Death or Disability

If your marriage has ended in divorce, your spouse has died, or you have remarried and both spouses have children from a prior marriage, you must revisit your Living Trust or any other estate plan and update it along with all your beneficiary designations. Divorce Going through the process of ending your marriage can be … Continue reading Divorce, Blended Families and Your Living Trust

The Trustees Role What is a Trustee? A Trustee in a Living Trust has similar responsibilities as an Executor in a Will. A Living Trust is the most effective, cost-efficient and private estate plan, administered outside of Probate Court. In contrast, a Will requires Probate. Incidentally, Wills for Heroes provides an excellent service for First … Continue reading Trustee: Who to Choose and What They Do