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!
Estate Planning for New and Expanding Families – Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is a guardian? There are two kinds of guardians: (1) those appointed by a court to care for a minor child when both of the child’s legal parents are unable to do so and (2) those appointed by a court to care for an incapacitated adult who can no...
5 Things Every New Parent Needs to Know About Wills
Congratulations on your new baby! Becoming a parent is an incredible journey filled with joy, love, and a whole lot of sleepless nights. It is also a time when you start thinking about the future in an entirely new way. You want to ensure that your child is always...
Whom Should I Tell About My Estate Plan?
Creating an estate plan is typically a private matter, not something you share in detail with everyone in your life. After all, what you choose to do with your money and property is your business. Your partner might know what is in your plan, especially if you created...
Plan Smart, Live More: Test Your Estate Planning IQ!
In 2025, what is the total amount of money and property you can gift during your lifetime and leave at your death to your loved ones (other than to your spouse) without owing federal estate tax? $5 million $15 million $13.99 million as much as you want The correct...
Treating Children Fairly Does Not Necessarily Mean Equally
Parents generally try to treat all their children fairly. We often assume that fairness means leaving an equal inheritance to each child. However, “fair” does not always mean “equal.” A thoughtful estate plan considers each child’s unique circumstances to create...
Your Family Is Not One-Size-Fits-All; Your Estate Plan Shouldn’t Be, Either
What comes to mind when you think of the typical American family? Today’s families take many different forms: Some are blended through divorce and remarriage while others are built through long-term partnerships, adoption, or fostering. Families may include same-sex...
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...