When Grief Meets Paperwork, Preparation Matters Losing a loved one is overwhelming. Unfortunately, it is also the moment when families are suddenly expected to find legal documents, access accounts, and make important decisions—often with little guidance. One simple but powerful estate planning tool can make this time much easier: a death box. A death box (sometimes called a death binder, …
Solar Farm Lease Agreements: What Farmers Need to Know Before Signing is an increasingly important topic as more energy companies approach farmers with offers to lease land for solar development. These agreements can provide predictable, long-term income, but they also involve significant legal and land use considerations that should be carefully reviewed before signing. What Is a Solar Farm Lease …
Wind Energy Lease Agreements: What Landowners Must Know Before Signing is a topic every Illinois landowner should understand before committing land to a wind energy developer. Wind energy leases can provide long-term income, but in Illinois, they also involve zoning, agricultural impact mitigation, deconstruction planning, and access and easement rights that can materially affect land use and future value. What …
Cari B. Rincker of Rincker Law, PLLC, Appointed to ISBA Rural Practice Section Council for 2026–2027 highlights her continued leadership in rural law and her commitment to serving clients and communities throughout Central Illinois. Cari B. Rincker, Esq., founder of Rincker Law, PLLC, has been appointed as a Member of the Rural Practice Section Council by the Illinois State Bar …
Cari B. Rincker of Rincker Law, PLLC Appointed to ISBA Agricultural Law Section Council for 2026–2027 highlights her continued leadership in agricultural law and her commitment to serving farmers, agribusinesses, and rural clients across Illinois. Cari B. Rincker, Esq., founder of Rincker Law, PLLC, has been appointed as a Member of the Agricultural Law Section Council by the Illinois State …
Planning for Medical Decisions Before a Crisis Happens Most people associate estate planning with wills and finances. But one of the most important documents focuses on something even more personal: your healthcare. A medical power of attorney allows you to choose someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. Choosing the …
Planning Ahead Makes Education Goals More Achievable The cost of education continues to rise, and many families worry about how they will pay for school without creating financial stress. Because tuition, fees, and related expenses can add up quickly, planning ahead matters more than ever. Fortunately, estate planning can play an important role in saving for school. Instead of relying …
Planning for College Is Smart—But Life Doesn’t Always Go as Planned Many parents and grandparents set aside money to help pay for a child’s or grandchild’s education. However, education paths often change. For example, a student may earn scholarships, choose a less expensive school, attend trade school, or skip college altogether. As a result, families often ask an important question: …
How Is a Farm Divided in an Illinois Divorce? A Central Illinois Guide for Farmers is one of the most important questions farm families face when a marriage ends. Unlike a typical divorce, farm divorces often involve land, equipment, livestock, and business interests that may have been built over generations. Understanding how Illinois courts approach these issues can help you …
Illinois Farm Divorce: What Happens to Equipment, Livestock, and Crops? It is a question many farm families face when a marriage begins to break down. Unlike traditional divorces, farm divorces involve complex, high-value assets that are essential to daily operations. In Illinois, farm divorces are governed by the same property division rules as other divorces. However, assets like equipment, livestock, …
If you own agricultural land in Central Illinois, you may be asking yourself: What Happens to the Family Farm If There’s No Succession Plan? This is one of the most important legal questions facing multi-generational farm families today. It is also the exact reason Preserving the Farm Legacy℠ matters. For families in Champaign, Shelbyville, Springfield, Decatur, and throughout Central Illinois, …
Planning for the unexpected is one of the most important steps a parent can take to protect a child. Many families begin researching Standby and Short-Term Guardianship in Illinois when facing medical issues, military deployment, travel, or other situations that may temporarily prevent them from caring for their child. For parents in Champaign, Shelbyville, and surrounding Central Illinois communities, understanding …