Some individuals with estate plans don’t bother to update them because they assume there won’t be any major changes in their lives. But as the old saying goes, “Tomorrow isn’t promised to you.” Though possessing an estate plan is better than not having one at all,...
A Commitment
to Each Client.
Month: August 2019
As a small business owner, why do you need an estate plan?
When you run your own business, time can quickly slip away from you. Before you know it, the months and years can go by in what feels like a flash. You’re always busy having to think about all the tasks that require your attention. One of the consequences of being so...
How much can Illinois estate taxes cost heirs and beneficiaries?
Anyone with a very large estate may have to worry about federal estate taxes. Those obligations apply regardless of what state someone lives in at the time of their death. However, only a few states assess state-level estate taxes, and Illinois is one of them. Those...
What happens if you die without a will?
Many adults, especially younger adults, don’t have any type of estate plan created. While it’s not a pleasant topic to think about, estate planning is your chance to say who is going to get what when you pass away. A person who dies without an estate plan dies...
Super Lawyers for 2023!
Congratulations to LLPH partners David Lutrey (Estate Planning & Probate) and Jennifer Howe (Estate & Trust Litigation) for their designations as Illinois Super Lawyers for 2023!
2 ways to protect yourself when distributing estate assets
For the testator who created the estate plan, the assets they left behind for specific beneficiaries may have been their main focus. It is common for people to put a lot of consideration into what they want their loved ones to inherit. They may choose beneficiaries...
Should you set up a revocable or irrevocable trust?
You’ve worked hard your entire life and built a substantial amount of wealth. You probably own a business and a home among other assets. This means you should figure out what will happen to them when you pass on. And one of the most popular estate planning tools you...
2 assets you should exempt from your Illinois will
Do you have a will? Congratulations if you do. You’ve taken one of the most important steps towards safeguarding your legacy and the people you care about. Without a valid will in place at the time of your demise, Illinois intestate laws would step and dictate what...
2 reasons you may enter an estate dispute
One reason that people will make an estate plan is that they know that this lowers the odds that their heirs will be involved in a dispute. Simply creating a plan can go a long way toward preventing disputes by providing the necessary guidance. However, this isn't to...
A will is about much more than inheritances
For most people, the first step to estate planning is drafting a will. This sets in motion the distribution of your assets should you become incapacitated. You can leave an inheritance behind for the people you treasure, such as your family and close friends. ...


