Although leaving your hard-earned assets outright to your children, grandchildren, or other beneficiaries after you die may seem like the easiest and most desired form of distribution, this scheme will make their inheritance easy prey for creditors, predators, and divorcing spouses. Instead, consider using discretionary trusts for the benefit of each of your beneficiaries. What is a Discretionary Trust? A …
Every business should have a proper legal structure and bylaws or an operating agreement that sets forth the rights and responsibilities of its owners or members. While the partnership or corporation structure is better suited to some businesses, limited liability companies (LLCs) have become one of the most popular business structures over the past few decades. The LLC structure provides …
Communicating with your ex-spouse is a challenge at the best of times, but with the pandemic, it’s become more complicated than ever. For some former couples, this has meant an increase in disagreements and out-and-out fights. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. In times of uncertainty, it’s vital to communicate more than ever, manage your expectations, and adapt …
Yes, You Do, and Here’s Why Please allow us to be frank. It’s unrealistic to think that a piece of paper you draft, reflecting your life at a certain time, will work when your life has completely changed some years later. We’ll use the Kendrick family as an example. Meet the Kendricks Meet Bill and Karen Kendrick. They got their …
Most of the world’s population is awaiting an opportunity to have the COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, there still remains people who are reluctant to receive the vaccination. What happens when co-parents cannot agree on whether or not their child should receive the COVID-19 vaccine? Instead of arguing about it, the better approach is to review the divorce decree and the custodial …
A comprehensive estate plan consists of several documents that accomplish three important things. First, they lay out your wishes for the handling of your money and property during life and at death. Second, they explain your medical wishes if you are no longer able to make them yourself or communicate them to others. Third, they list the trusted individuals you …
Co-parenting after divorce is complicated at the best of times. With COVID quarantine problems over the last year, co-parenting has been become even more challenging. With so many people being sick and others doing everything they can to avoid spreading the contagion, regular parental visitation has become extremely difficult. This leads to communication issues between former spouses as well as …
The COVID-19 pandemic has made co-parenting harder than ever. What happens when divorced co-parents have different views of online learning? For instance, it is not unusual for one household to be far more structured than another household. This means that the kids might be accustomed to having breakfast at a certain time so that they are ready to be on …
Co-Parenting during the pandemic has become even more difficult due to travel restrictions and other restraints that are necessary to keep your children safe. The good news is that there are many resources available to you that can make co-parenting more manageable in Illinois. The 3 Co-Parenting Apps Below Will Help You Make Co-Parenting More Seamless Our Family Wizard App …
Michelle joined our team in December 2020. Michelle is the Court Coordinator and Legal Assistant at the Champaign Office. She has earned her Associates in Criminal Justice and aims to complete her paralegal certificate soon. Michelle lives in Mahomet with her three sons, fiancé and stepson. She loves watching her boys wrestle and play football in Mahomet. Michelle enjoys baking …
Congratulations! Your business has grown and you are ready to hire your first employee. Where do you begin? What will the employee’s schedule be and how much will the employee get paid? Will your new hire be an employee or an independent contractor—and what is the difference? Did the employee sign an employment agreement? Before your new hire begins, there …