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Old Assets Can “Stink” After a While
Years ago, when I was single, I went out of town and a few days later my condo neighbors called 'cause they smelled a terrible stench. Nothing had died, but turns out I had forgotten to take out the trash before I left. (Thanks Mom and Dad, who made arrangements to...
7 Questions to Ask Before the Age of 70
People are living longer than ever these days, and while that is a good thing, it definitely presents challenges. Regardless of you or your loved one’s stage in life, good planning requires that you ask good questions. And asking good questions can sometimes be...
3 Real-life Examples of Important Asset Protection
We’ve previously talked about asset protection, but before we jump into some real-life examples, let’s review: Asset protection is simply protecting the things you own. This could be your house, your savings accounts, your IRAs, farmland, etc. Life is unpredictable,...
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Don’t Get Stuck With a Stupid Tax
Have you ever heard the phrase, "stupid tax"? I hate paying a stupid tax, because it's always something that could have been avoided. A few years ago my wife and I went with my parents to see an Illini basketball game in Champaign. After eating at the Ribeye on Neil...
Important Advice on Choosing a Healthcare POA
Every estate plan needs a good helper(s). Choosing helpers can be really tough. These people will be responsible for making decisions when you can't make them for yourself. A power of attorney for healthcare will allow someone to help you make a variety of decisions...
Would You Know How to Stop Elder Abuse?
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was observed recently, and we shared some helpful information in our email newsletter. (Sign up for our educational newsletter here.) Elder abuse is a complex issue that can encompass physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and...
Stop Thief! 10 Things That Can Steal From Your Estate
If you've ever been robbed like I have, you know that awful feeling of violation and loss of control. More than the material things that are stolen, the loss of peace of mind and sense of security can have lasting effects. When I had just started practicing law, I...
(Video) When is the best time to contact an attorney about long-term care?
If you already know what an elder law attorney does, then you may be wondering when it's best to contact them for help. Anytime there is a transition period or crisis situation, your lawyer can help lay the groundwork for care and help get more benefits to pay for...
10 Ways to Tell a Good Estate Plan From a Bad One
To see this infographic complete with links to other articles and more information, go here: How to Tell a Good Estate Plan From a Bad One. To get started creating a "good" estate plan, give us a call at 217-726-9200 and we'll schedule an initial meeting. Read here...
7 Important Things Cinderella’s Father Could Have Done Better
The secret to avoiding disaster in the Magic Kingdom -- plan ahead. So much of parenting is about planning and anticipating problems BEFORE they happen. And trips to Disney World are no exception. We know from experience that our kids get worn out if the days are too...
12 Duties of a Helper: What Do Executors, Trustees, Guardians and Powers of Attorney Really Do?
Every estate plan needs a good helper(s). Choosing those helpers can be tough. Your trustee, guardian, power of attorney, or executor will be responsible for making decisions when you become disabled (like from a stroke or dementia) or pass away. But what exactly are...
What You Need to Know About Nursing Care and Aging
So, what do nursing homes have to do with estate planning? When most people think about estate planning, they almost exclusively think of a Last Will & Testament, but a Will only works AFTER you pass away. A Will sets out what will happen, who's in charge, and...
Case Study: When a Young Mother Suddenly Dies
The Brock's were just an average young family in the 1980's. The father, Robert, had been to Vietnam and back a decade earlier. The mother, Margaret, stayed at home with their two young boys, James and Steven. The family lived in a modest ranch house in middle...