Blog Articles
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!
Money Isn’t Everything in Estate Planning
How to Pass Your Stories and Values to Future Generations Money and property may be the most discussed types of wealth that a person owns, but the riches of their experience and wisdom can mean even more to loved ones down the line. Reinforcement of family traditions...
Estate Planning That Expresses Who You Are
5 Things to Talk About with Your Family You intend to pass along your hard-earned money and property through your estate plan, but what about your wisdom? Ensuring that you successfully pass all of this along may call for a family meeting to discuss your finances,...
Who Needs an Estate Plan?
If you are reading this, you need an estate plan. Why? The short answer is that everyone age 18 and older needs an estate plan. It does not matter whether you are old or young, have built up considerable wealth or are just entering adulthood—you need a written plan to...
Important Legacy Questions You Should Answer in Your Estate Plan
When beginning any type of planning, you usually start with some preliminary questions. Estate planning is no different. When you begin the process, your estate planning attorney will likely ask about your family members, the accounts and property you own, and whom...
Assisting Your Client: Estate Planning for Collectors and Hobbyists
Americans often prefer to stay busy. When we are not working, many of us turn to hobbies to keep us engaged and productive. We spend hours each day on our hobbies and leisure activities. Over the course of a lifetime, this time adds up to a significant investment. Our...
Assisting Your Client: Why Joint Ownership Should Not Be the Go-To Plan for Newlyweds
If your client recently married or has been married for a while and has acquired additional money or property (or plans to), they have options regarding how their assets can be owned. Although joint ownership seems easy and convenient, it may not always work as well...
Assisting Your Client: Does A Revocable Living Trust Reduce A Federal Estate Tax Bill?
Many believe that once one sets up and funds a revocable living trust, property held in the trust will completely avoid federal estate taxes after they die. In reality, a living trust does not provide any unique estate tax avoidance strategies. This article does...
Property Sisters: Handling a Loved One’s Debts After They Die
Americans are, quite literally, getting buried in debt, with nearly half expecting to pass away with outstanding debts.[1] As a general rule, a person’s debts do not go away when they die. Some types of debt, such as federal student loans, are typically forgiven upon...
Your Post-Honeymoon Legal Checklist
Your wedding day was absolutely perfect. You and your spouse went on your honeymoon and had the time of your lives. Now you are back and can breathe a sigh of relief as the years ahead unfold before your eyes. Well, not so fast. With your honeymoon over, there are...
The Estate of Richard Simmons: Sweatin’ the Small Stuff
Fitness icon Richard Simmons, known for his flamboyant personality, high energy, and trademark attire, passed away in July 2024 following a fall at his Los Angeles home. Because of a legal dispute between his longtime housekeeper, Teresa Reveles Muro, and his brother,...