As harvest season winds down and winter approaches, it’s the perfect time for Illinois farmers to take stock of their business and legal matters. End-of-Year Farm Planning Checklist: Legal Steps Every Illinois Farmer Should Take Before 2026 provides a detailed guide to help you wrap up this year with confidence and start the new one on solid footing. From reviewing …
Understanding What “Home” Means in Estate Planning Your home is likely one of your most valuable assets—and one filled with memories. But when it comes to estate planning, “leaving my home to someone” is more complex than it sounds. The law views your home as a bundle of property rights, not just a place of comfort. To ensure your wishes …
The holidays can be joyful yet challenging, especially for separated or divorced parents. Co-Parenting Through the Holidays: Legal and Emotional Tips for Illinois Families and Farm Families offers practical guidance for navigating this emotional time of year. Whether you live in a busy city like Chicago or run a family farm in rural Illinois, managing co-parenting schedules during the holidays …
Families caring for an adult with disabilities often face difficult decisions about safety, long-term care, financial management, and medical decision-making. In Illinois, one of the most important tools available to help protect a vulnerable adult is legal guardianship. Guardianship allows a trusted person to step in and make essential decisions when an individual cannot safely make those decisions alone. In …
When a parent becomes unable to care for a child due to illness, absence, instability, or unexpected life events, another trusted adult often steps in. In Illinois, this legal responsibility is known as guardianship for a minor child. Families in Champaign and Shelbyville often turn to guardianship when they need a stable, court-recognized plan to protect a child’s well-being, education, …
Why Communication Matters in Estate Planning Creating an estate plan is a deeply personal process, but keeping it entirely private can lead to confusion, delays, or unintended consequences. Communicating your estate plan to the right people ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are prepared to act when needed. A Tiered Approach to Sharing Your Estate Plan 1. …
Why Naming a Guardian Matters No parent wants to imagine not being there for their children, but planning ahead is one of the most loving and responsible things you can do. If you don’t legally nominate a guardian for your minor children, a judge—who doesn’t know your family—will decide who raises them. That choice could be someone you never would …
It’s not uncommon for identical trademarks to exist for different goods and services. Maybe your farm equipment company is identical to a trademark registered for a restaurant, or your software company’s mark matches one used for a clothing line. Naturally, this can raise concerns: Does this mean I can’t use my trademark? Is someone infringing on my mark? The good …
Why Estate Planning Is Essential for New Parents Welcoming a new baby is a joyful milestone, but protecting your child goes beyond babyproofing and car seats. Estate planning for new parents ensures your child is cared for, your wishes are honored, and your family’s future is secure. Provide for Your Child’s Care One of the most important reasons for new …
At Rincker Law, PLLC, our founding attorney, Cari Rincker, recently had the opportunity to speak with two undergraduate pre-law organizations at the University of Illinois. The interactive Q&A sessions gave students a chance to ask candid questions about the realities of law school, career paths, and life as a practicing attorney. As a former adjunct professor at the University of …
Originally published in the Illinois State Bar Association Rural Practice Newsletter (October 2025 Issue). Reprinted with permission. Understanding the Rural Legal Desert Across the United States, access to justice remains an ongoing challenge in rural America. A 2025 Iowa State University study found that over half of all non-metropolitan counties now qualify as “legal deserts”—areas with fewer than one private-practice …
Many people are familiar with criminal, family, or corporate law but fewer understand what it means to practice agricultural law. During recent Q&A sessions with pre-law students at the University of Illinois, Attorney Cari Rincker explained what makes agricultural law such a unique and rewarding career path. Below we share, “From Farm Fields to Courtrooms: Understanding Agricultural Law (and Why …