What Happens to Your Estate If You Die Without a Will in Illinois?

In Illinois, everyone already has an estate plan, whether they wrote one or not. If you die without a Will, the state of Illinois has one waiting for you, and it was not written with your family in mind. That plan is called intestate succession, and it follows a fixed...

Estate Planning for High Net Worth Families in Illinois: Beyond the Basics

A standard Estate Plan does its job well up to a point. Will, Trust, Powers of Attorney, beneficiary designations in order. For many families, that structure holds. For families whose wealth has grown significantly, that structure is often the floor, not the ceiling....

What Is a Pour-Over Will, and Why Do You Need One With Your Trust?

Most people with a Living Trust assume the Trust does all the work. Set it up, fund it, and everything flows the way you intended. Then life happens. A new bank account opened last year, or a settlement check landed after everything else was in place. Maybe you...

Estate Planning After Divorce in Illinois: What You Need to Update Immediately

Most people with a Living Trust assume the Trust does all the work. Set it up, fund it, and everything flows the way you intended. Then life happens. A new bank account opened last year, or a settlement check landed after everything else was in place. Maybe you...

Trust Administration in Illinois: What Happens After Death

When families ask about Trusts, they almost always start with the same question: What is the difference between a Revocable and an Irrevocable Trust, and which do we need? The answer depends on your goals, and choosing incorrectly has consequences that most...

Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts in Illinois: Which Is Right?

Most families who set up a Trust focus on creating and funding it, but fewer consider what happens when it must be administered. When a loved one passes, someone must follow the law and carry out the instructions in the Trust. This process can seem daunting, but...