Blog
Info About Wills, Trusts, and More…
Hello and welcome! I am Eileen Kerlin Walsh, and I will bring you valuable and topical information on estate planning. Estate Planning is the legal process of protecting your assets and your loved ones in the event of disability or death.
Why do you need an estate plan? If you don’t have a valid Will or Trust, Illinois law determines how your assets pass, to whom and when. Having no estate plan can lead to unnecessary taxes, creditors, probate court and other undesirable results. This is the most costly way to pass assets to your loved ones. You can do much better and my column will show you how!
First, a little about me. I grew up on a small farm in Ireland. I came to the U.S. in the 1990s, and fell in love with Chicago and the American dream. I went to Loyola Law School and after working for the government and a private law firm, I started my own practice in 2002.
Why do I devote my legal career to estate planning? After 17 years consulting with clients in my office, their homes and hospital beds, I have discovered no area of law is more important or more rewarding. I have also discovered my gift is guiding clients through this healing, transformative process with warmth and competence. Estate planning is the heart and soul of the law and there is nothing I would rather do. This is the most vital, emotionally challenging and ultimately satisfying legal process my clients ever undertake.
Estate planning is about protecting your assets, your loved ones and planning for the future, yes, but it is so much more. It is about you, your unique story, your life’s savings, your values and beliefs and your hopes for the future. That is what is woven into your estate plan.
Presented by Eileen Kerlin Walsh, 11301 South Harlem Avenue, Worth, Illinois. Call Eileen’s law firm with questions at 708-448-5169.
Inspiring Action: The Guide to Creating or Updating Your Estate Plan
Creating or revising an estate plan can feel overwhelming, causing many people to procrastinate. But the longer you put it off, the more potential there is to be caught unprepared in an emergency. So how can you motivate yourself and your loved ones to begin the...
How to Talk to Mom and Dad about Creating an Estate Plan
Conversations about death and dying are rarely fun. Most people avoid them because they invoke feelings about our inevitable demise. Broaching this subject can be particularly difficult for parents and their adult children. Adult children may avoid bringing up the...
Can a Beneficiary Also Be a Trustee of a Trust?
Clients often naturally choose their children to be beneficiaries of their revocable living trusts. Many clients also wish to name one or more of their children as the trustee of that trust, but are not sure if that is allowed by the law. The short answer is yes, a...
Property Sisters: Understanding a Trustees Authority Over Trust Assets and Property
A trustee is a person or entity responsible for managing and administering your trust according to your instructions and in accordance with state law. They are considered a fiduciary, and as a fiduciary, a trustee must protect the trust’s investments and act in the...
The Passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein: Estate Plan Lessons for Blended Families
Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving female United States senator in history, passed away in September at the age of 90. First elected to the Senate in 1992, Feinstein leaves behind a political legacy that spanned nearly 31 years. She also leaves behind an estate...
The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett died on September 1, 2023, at age 76 after a diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma (skin cancer) four years earlier. He was a renowned singer-songwriter, film producer, businessman, novelist, and philanthropist. Buffett released his first album, Down to...
Property Sisters: Beware of Unequal Contributions When Purchasing a House
At a time of record home unaffordability, more people are teaming up with friends and relatives to realize the home ownership dream. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more than 75 percent of homes on the market now are too expensive for...
Should You Share Your Estate Planning Details With Loved Ones?
When you decide to create a comprehensive estate plan, there are many things to consider. One is whether to tell your loved ones about your plan and how much information to share with them. Estate planning can be a complex and sensitive matter, so your choice may...
Do Not Leave Your Trust Unprotected: 6 Ways a Trust Protector Can Help You
Trust protectors are commonly used in the United States. Essentially, a trust protector is someone who serves as an appointed authority over a trust that will be in effect for a long period of time. Trust protectors ensure that trustees maintain the integrity of the...
Decanting: How to Fix a Trust That Is Not Getting Better with Age
While many wines get better with age, the same cannot be said for some irrevocable trusts. Maybe you are the beneficiary of a trust created by your great-grandfather over 70 years ago, and that trust no longer makes sense. Or maybe you created an irrevocable...