Whether or not you currently have estate planning documents, one important item to add to your calendar is getting an estate plan checkup. Don’t Have an Estate Plan? If you don’t already have an estate plan, then getting one in place should be at the top of your to-do list. Why? Because without an estate plan, you and your property …
The Importance of a Successor Trustee
An estate plan that includes a revocable living trust is an excellent way to protect yourself and your loved ones upon your passing or in the event you are unable to manage your own affairs. As opposed to other estate planning options, a revocable living trust gives you the ability to keep control of and enjoy your accounts and property …
A Champaign Mediation Lawyer Explains the Benefits of Mediation Before Divorce
If you are thinking of getting divorced, then you have probably realized that there are so many important matters to attend to. If you have children, then that is on the top of your list of issues to sort through prior to the divorce. There is allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, and parenting time schedules. What Are Some Benefits …
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 …
The Trust Protection Myth: Your Revocable Trust Protects Against Lawsuits
The Trust Protection Myth: Your Revocable Trust Protects Against Lawsuits Many people believe that once they set up a Revocable Living Trust and transfer assets into the trust, those assets are protected from lawsuits. This is absolutely not true. While Trusts commonly provide asset protection for beneficiaries, few trusts protect assets owned by the person who created the trust. No …
A Champaign Mediator Explains How Mediation Can Help with Child Support
Child support and custody issues are the most common issues to be fought about in family court. Disagreements about either of these issues can prolong divorce proceedings, interrupt visitation rights, and cause hardships for all sides of the issue. Child support and custody issues are emotionally charged subjects. While this is understandable to a point, this often leads to extensive …
How to Handle Conflicts in Family-Owned Businesses
Conflicts are inevitable within businesses and families. Personal rivalries, differences of opinion, competition for resources, and questions of prestige can set individuals at odds and lead to warring factions with competing loyalties. Resolving conflicts in both settings is a delicate matter that requires balancing what is best for one person with what is best for the group. When family members …
Strategies for Your Charitable Planning
There are many reasons why you may want to give to a charity: You may give because you believe strongly in a cause or organization, but it can also reduce your yearly income tax bill and remove value from your overall estate. If you are considering making a donation, but are unsure of how to proceed, we are here to …
Life Insurance and Estate Planning: Protecting Your Beneficiaries’ Interests
A common misconception people have about life insurance is that they only need to designate their spouse, child, or loved one as the beneficiary of the policy to ensure that the life insurance benefits will be available to the beneficiary when they die. Life insurance is an important financial and estate planning tool, but without certain protections in place, there …
3 Asset Protection Tips You Can Use Now
A common misconception is that only wealthy families and people in high risk professions need to have an asset protection plan. But in reality, anyone can be sued. A car accident, foreclosure, unpaid medical bills, or an injured tenant can result in a monetary judgment that will decimate your finances. What Exactly Is Asset Protection Planning? Asset protection planning is …