According to a 2018 study by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), approximately 57% of all US households have at least one pet. So, what happens to your pet when you die or become incapacitated? Planning ahead can give you peace of mind knowing that your pet will be cared for after you’re gone. There are several ways to do …
Your Judgment of Divorce: The First Step in Estate Planning
You have recently divorced your spouse and the judge has signed the divorce judgment. Now what? Although you may feel as though you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney. If you and your former spouse had estate planning done together previously, it is necessary …
How to Prepare for a Virtual Mediation in Illinois
There has been a significant increase in using virtual meetings for mediation. Virtual meetings can allow all the parties to meet in a timely manner without having to travel long distances or wait for times when everyone can be in the area at the same time. Virtual meetings work just as well as in-person meetings and can help the divorce …
Important Estate Planning Considerations for LGBTQ Couples
Everyone needs estate planning. Regardless of your age, race, gender, or sexual orientation, properly protecting your future and your loved ones requires a plan. For LGBTQ couples, there are a few things you should consider when thinking about crafting an estate plan. Each couple is unique, and it is our goal to ensure that your personal wishes are carried out …
What You Should Know about Life Insurance
Part of protecting your loved ones when you pass away is making sure that you have a proper estate plan in place. Another aspect is making sure that the right amount of money is available to carry out your goals for their futures. Life insurance has helped many people provide for their loved ones in the way they had envisioned. …
Financing a Business: Evaluating Your Options
Financing is the lifeblood of a business. During good times, business financing can help entrepreneurs purchase assets, expand products and services, add a new location, and hire more staff. During more difficult times, business owners may require financing just to continue their current operations. A business may also be at the start-up phase and require capital to get off the …
Why Singles Should Worry about Estate Planning
As a single individual, you may feel overwhelmed when you think about who will step in and make decisions for you if you cannot make decisions for yourself and who will receive your money and property when you die. You may consider your parents or siblings, but depending on whether they are living and the nature of your relationship, they …
How Mediation Can Help You with Division of Assets in Champaign
When couples decide to separate, the division of assets frequently is one of the most highly contested issues. Feelings run high, and it’s not unusual for one or both former partners to dig in their heels. Why Mediation is a Better Choice? What’s the best way to end a stalemate over the division of assets in Champaign? Usually, couples that …
Happy 18th Birthday! Now What?
Congratulations! You are now considered a legal adult. Aside from purchasing alcohol, there is now very little you cannot legally do. Even though you may not feel any different, from a legal standpoint, a lot has changed. When you were a minor (under the age of 18), your parents were considered your legal guardians and were responsible for making all …
A Champaign Family Law Attorney Explains How to Tackle Difficult Divorce Topics
Divorce necessitates frank discussions concerning numerous touchy subjects. It can be difficult for one or both spouses to talk about these things but doing so is essential to make divorce a more constructive process. Negotiations become even tenser when children are involved. For instance, the divorcing couple needs to make critical decisions about the allocation of parental responsibilities, and it …
Estate Planning for Military Families
No matter the time of year, it is always a good opportunity for members of the military and their loved ones to consider setting up — or revising an existing —estate plan. Military families need to consider special estate-planning issues that others do not. This is particularly true when one or more family members are deployed overseas. Beyond this, members …
Considerations for Hiring Your Child as an Employee
Hiring your child to work in the family business can be a win-win situation for both you and your child. A child employee offers you tax advantages not available with other employees. There are also potential tax savings for the child employee, who can set aside that money for college or retirement. If you are thinking about hiring your child …