Your family and your business are two of your top priorities. You would not do anything to compromise either of them. But working with family members in a family-owned business presents unique challenges that can cause lasting damage to both if not properly managed. Family-owned businesses are capable of the same success as any other business. Walmart, Chick-fil-A, Comcast, Carnival, …
Ask Ruth: Egg Sales in Illinois
Generally speaking, there are two ways an egg producer can sell their flock’s eggs in Illinois. Under Illinois law, producers can sell eggs produced by their own flock directly to household consumers for their personal use without a license or inspection if the eggs are sold directly from the premises where the eggs are produced. If, however you wish to …
Who’s On Your Team?
Estate planning is not just about what happens to your stuff when you die. It is about coordinating all aspects of your life so (i) you can be taken care of during times when you are unable to care for yourself, and (ii) your money and property are distributed to the individuals you have selected upon your death, in the …
A Shelbyville Divorce Mediator Shares 5 Reasons to Mediate Your Divorce
Have you recently made the decision to get a divorce? Are you confused about how to proceed with your divorce? A Shelbyville divorce mediator explains 5 reasons why you may want to mediate your divorce. When it comes to divorce, you have two options: option one is to litigate your divorce and go to court, and option two is to …
Reviewing Your Estate Plan after the Death of a Loved One
The death of a loved one is never easy. Regardless of your relationship with the deceased (blood relative, life partner, or close friend), you need space and time to process and grieve your loss. Once you have had time to cope with all that has happened, you should consider updating your estate plan in light of your loved one’s death. …
Learn How to Prepare for an Uncontested Divorce in Illinois
The first step to determining what type of divorce will be right for you is to discuss it with your spouse and try to get on the same page. An uncontested divorce will only work if you are both on the same page. What is an Uncontested Divorce in Illinois? Uncontested divorce in Illinois means that both spouses agree on …
Why Unmarried Partners Should Care about Estate Planning
According to a 2019 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 7 percent of surveyed adults were living with an unmarried partner, up from 3 percent in 1995.[1] More people such as yourself are entering long-term committed relationships without getting married. Unfortunately, many state and federal laws do not protect unmarried couples as they do married couples when it comes …
Estate Planning Checklist to Facilitate Multigenerational Wealth Transfers
Studies estimate that 70 percent of family wealth is lost by the end of the second generation and 90 percent by the end of the third generation.[1] To help your loved ones avoid becoming part of this statistic, you need to educate and update your extended family about your wealth transfer goals and the plan you have put in place …
A Champaign Prenup Attorney Explains How Mediation Can Help You Finalize Your Prenuptial Agreement
Getting married is a major life decision that no couple enters into lightly. Demonstrating this is the fact that more couples are choosing to enter a prenuptial agreement before saying, “I do.” If you’re considering marriage, schedule a meeting with a Champaign prenup attorney to learn how this document can protect both of you and any children you may have …
Business Trusts 101: What Entrepreneurs Should Know about Using a Business Trust
Trusts are usually associated with estate planning, but trusts can also apply to business operations. As a small business owner, you can hold the business in a trust instead of using a business entity such as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation. Business trusts offer several potential benefits—and drawbacks—compared to a traditional business structure. Understanding their pros and cons, …
What Happens to Your Business When You Die
You spend a significant part of your life building your business, and it becomes a major part of your legacy. But when you die, everything you have built could fall apart if you have not taken the time to create a business succession plan. Without a plan in place, your business’s fate may be decided by a court instead of …
Warning: Don’t Let Creditors Inherit from You or Your Spouse
Although spouses receive special treatment when inheriting a retirement account such as an IRA (the ability to roll over the account into a personal retirement account and to stretch the distributions over their lifetime), the retirement account you leave for your spouse can still be seized in a divorce, a lawsuit, or a bankruptcy proceeding. Three Options Available to Surviving …