by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | Oct 1, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Power of Attorney, Wills & Trusts
KEY TAKEAWAYS Who would step in if you couldn’t make decisions? The right decision-makers may not be the obvious ones. Your beneficiary choices deserve a closer look. Being single can change the tax planning equation. A plan puts you—not the law—in control. As a...
by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | Oct 1, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Power of Attorney, Wills & Trusts
KEY TAKEAWAYS The right person for one role may not be right for another. Trust matters, but so do availability and follow-through. A conversation now can prevent confusion later. A little organization can make a difficult job easier. Your choices may deserve another...
by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | Oct 1, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Inheritance Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, Living Trusts, News, Wills & Trusts
The federal estate tax exemption jumped to $15 million per person in 2026. Illinois did not follow. The state still taxes estates over $4 million, and that number has not moved in more than a decade. That single fact catches more southwest suburban families every...
by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | Sep 24, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Inheritance Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, Living Trusts, News, Wills & Trusts
A complete Illinois estate plan in 2026 is built from four working parts: a Revocable Living Trust, a Pour-Over Will, a Durable Power of Attorney for Property, and a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. Together they decide who controls your money and your care...
by Eileen Kerlin Walsh | Sep 23, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, Living Trusts, News, Power of Attorney, Unmarried Partners, Wills & Trusts
KEY TAKEAWAYS Commitment alone may not give your partner legal protection. Without a plan, state law may decide who inherits your assets. Estate planning can protect more than what happens after death. Some accounts may not follow the instructions in your will or...