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!

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 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: 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...