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!
Your Future, Your Control
Have You or Your Loved Ones Used These Excuses to Avoid Estate Planning? We all have those nagging to-do items that never seem to make it to the top of our list, even though we know how important they are. Maybe it is scheduling a checkup with the doctor, calling the...
Assisting Your Clients: What to Do After a Loved One Dies
If your client has been named the person responsible for settling a deceased loved one’s affairs, commonly called an executor or personal representative (if your loved one had no estate plan or had a will) or a successor trustee (if they had a trust), you may find...
Assisting Your Clients: National Centenarians Day – Planning for a Longer Life (and Legacy)
Who wants to live to be 100? That depends on who you ask. Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: The odds of reaching that milestone are rising, along with the length of retirement and the number of life changes that come with it. Life expectancy gains in the US...
Assisting Your Clients: What Does Stepfamily Mean to Your Clients?
National Stepfamily Day occurs every September! Amid shifts in modern family structures and demographics, you likely have clients who are part of a stepfamily. Stepfamilies are a celebration of second chances and overcoming the unique challenges of integrating...
Assisting Your Clients: Jump-Start or Refresh Your Planning This Fall
Happy National 401(k) Day! Bookending the first week of September with Labor Day is a less recognized holiday that deserves more attention from planners, advisors, and savers: National 401(k) Day. Though we are in an era of generally declining economic confidence,...
Property Sisters: What to Do When You Do Not Own What You Think You Own
Imagine the following scenario: You have been living in a house for years. As your mother’s sole heir, you inherited it from her when she passed away. You pay the taxes and insurance. You make the repairs and mow the lawn. You call it home, and everyone in the family...
Estate Planning Truths: Debunking Common Misconceptions
Estate planning often feels complex, leading many people to rely on assumptions that can have devastating consequences for their loved ones and their legacy. From who can make decisions for you to whether you need an estate plan, common myths can stand between you and...
From Game Shows to Estate Plans: Insights from Regis Philbin
Regis Philbin, the Guinness World Record holder for the most hours on US television, was a familiar face in millions of homes for decades. By the time he retired from his show Live with Regis and Kelly in 2011, he had spent more than 16,740 hours in front of the...
Do I Need a Will or a Trust?
Yes, everyone needs a will, a trust, or both. These important tools ensure that your legacy will be carried out according to your wishes and allow you to provide for loved ones after your passing. A properly prepared trust can also help avoid probate, which is a...
12 Estate Planning Blunders You Cannot Afford to Make
Many people believe that a simple will is all they need to accomplish their goals for the future. However, a flawed estate plan can create just as many headaches, heartaches, and expenses for your loved ones as having no plan. Life changes, laws evolve, and even the...