A Dementia Diagnosis Changes More Than Healthcare: Seven Legal Moves to Make While You Still Can

by | Aug 19, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, Mental Health, News, Power of Attorney, Wellness, Wills & Trusts

KEY TAKEAWAYS A dementia diagnosis does not automatically mean loss of legal capacity. Medical diagnosis and legal capacity operate on different timelines. Waiting can significantly reduce a family’s options. Several legal and financial matters should be reviewed...

When “We’ll Figure It Out” Becomes a Problem

by | Aug 19, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, Mental Health, News, Power of Attorney, Wellness, Wills & Trusts

KEY TAKEAWAYS Good intentions don’t equal legal authority. Unclear family roles can create costly delays. Informal family agreements may fall apart under pressure. The person who naturally takes charge still needs proper authority. Formal estate planning replaces...

How to Find an Estate Planning Attorney in the Chicago Area: What to Look For

by | Aug 18, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Estate Planning, Kerlin Walsh Law, Living Trusts, Power of Attorney, Probate, Real Estate, Wills & Trusts

Search “estate planning attorney near me” from anywhere in the southwest suburbs, and you will get dozens of results and almost no way to tell them apart. Every website promises experience. Nearly every website looks the same. That sameness is the real...

Estate Planning for Business Owners in the Chicago Southwest Suburbs

by | Aug 11, 2026 | Blog, Client Relationships, Entrepreneurs, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, Living Trusts, Power of Attorney, Probate, Real Estate, Wills & Trusts, Women and Estate Planning

Most business owners in the southwest suburbs have a plan for growing their company. Far fewer have a plan for what happens to it without them. That hole is not about being unprepared in general. It comes from treating personal planning and business planning as two...

Window Of Opportunity: Legal Steps to Take When You First Notice Memory Problems

by | Aug 10, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Wellness, Wills & Trusts

KEY TAKEAWAYS Early memory problems don’t necessarily mean it’s too late to make legal decisions. A diagnosis doesn’t determine legal capacity—understanding does. There may be a limited window to put important legal documents in place. Powers of Attorney and other key...

Too Late to Plan: Navigating Legal and Financial Barriers After Dementia Progresses

by | Aug 10, 2026 | Blog, Common Questions, Education, Estate Planning, Healthcare Decisions, Kerlin Walsh Law, News, Power of Attorney, Wellness, Wills & Trusts

KEY TAKEAWAYS Once legal capacity is lost, many traditional Estate Planning options may no longer be available. Even close family members or a spouse may not have the legal authority to step in. Without the right documents, accessing finances, medical information, and...