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Bills, Debts and Taxes: Will your debts die with you?
So, who pays your debts when you’re gone? Your spouse? Your kids? What happens when someone dies, leaving debts and not enough money to pay them? The Good News About What Happens to Debts When You Die Here’s the good news: No one else is required to pay your debts, as...
How to Choose an Excellent Estate Planning Attorney
A recent survey on estate planning showed that 53% of respondents said it's difficult to find an advisor they trust. We understand how hard it is to choose an estate planning attorney. After years of working with many, many clients, we feel pretty good about knowing...
3 Estate Planning Questions to Start the New Year off Right
Fresh starts can be really nice sometimes. "Out with the old, in with the new" can be energizing. Let's start the new year by asking a few estate planning questions. Many people procrastinate when it comes to their estate plan, thinking, "Oh, I'll never really need...
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Updated Dollar Amounts in 2015
Social Security and VA pension numbers will change in 2015, with Medicaid numbers staying the same in Illinois. Here's what you can expect: VA Pensions and Social Security will increase by 1.7% in 2015 Effective December 31, 2014 (but not seen in your checks until...
10 Non-financial Planning Issues You Should Consider
Effective planning doesn't just involve money... We tend to do things a little differently around here. After years of doing planning the traditional way (and seeing ways that the process could be improved), I started my own firm. Not only is it important for me to...
The Value of Family Traditions
Ah, the holidays... a time when Michelle and I enjoy spending extra time with family. Family history and traditions mean a lot to us. Part of that family history involves names. Here are some interesting name connections in our family: 1. Otis - Bailey and Cole are...
Halloween 2014
We ask our clients to share A LOT of personal information with us. It's necessary for us to help them in the most effective way possible. Because of that high level of trust we ask you to place in us, and because my family is so important to me, I love sharing my...
Summer 2014
Our clients share a lot of personal information about their families with us. And that's part of the reason I like to share my family with you. Families are why we do what we do! This summer we spent a week in Branson with my parents and brother's family. (The kids...
A Bad Heir Day: When Beneficiary Designations Trump Your Will
Download our Beneficiary Designations Form Many people incorrectly assume that all their assets will be distributed through their will. Unfortunately, this is a big misconception. A good example of this is retirement savings, such as an IRA or 401(k). These accounts...
How to Avoid an Estate Battle After You’re Gone
Creating a "special stuff list" will go a long way in keeping the peace once you're gone. Sadly, in my line of work, I see families fighting much more often than I would like. And while the media might lead you to believe it's all about the money, oftentimes the...
3 Myths About Retirement That’ll Cost You Money
Many people plan for retirement, but there are expensive surprises that can crop up around healthcare and derail your plans. Read on for 3 surprises about retirement that can cost you lots of money. 3 Myths About Retirement That Will Cost You Money 1. You'll retire at...
Save Your Family Extra Anguish After You Die: Prepare a Will
Tarina, our Client Relationships Coordinator, hears it all the time, “I wish I hadn’t put off planning for so long. I just feel so much better now that we have a plan in place.” Do you want to make things easier on your family? Or more difficult? Good planning will...
6 Ways to Save the Family Farm
When you pass away, what will happen to your farmland? Maybe it’s land that has been in your family for generations. For many families, saving the family farm is important. Without a specific estate plan in place, the land is at risk. You may even know families like...