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Rural Lawyer Shortages and Access to Justice: What Illinois Communities Can Learn From National Trends examines a growing challenge facing small towns and rural communities throughout Illinois and across the country. In the July 2026 issue of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Rural Practice newsletter, Rincker Law attorneys Cari Brett Rincker and Sam Ellis co-authored “Rural Law Practice in the News,” an overview of recent efforts to address legal deserts, strengthen rural legal services, and recruit attorneys to underserved communities. Cari also serves as a co-editor of the Rural Practice newsletter.
The developments highlighted in the article show that…
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Illinois HB 4462: Proposed Changes to Power of Attorney Acceptance Requirements addresses a practical problem that can arise when an agent attempts to use a valid power of attorney for property, but a bank, financial institution, title company, or other third party demands additional documentation before honoring it. The enrolled bill would amend Section 2-8 of the Illinois Power of Attorney Act by removing two specific grounds currently identified as reasonable cause for refusing to honor a power of attorney.
As of July 27, 2026, HB 4462 has passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and was sent to…
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7 Farm Succession Planning Mistakes That Can Tear a Family Apart addresses a problem many farm families quietly postpone. Parents, farming children, and off-farm siblings may each hold different expectations about what will happen. When those expectations are never discussed or documented, grief can quickly become conflict.
Farm succession planning should coordinate land ownership, management, retirement, incapacity planning, equipment, leases, and family expectations. Avoiding these mistakes can help preserve the operation and family relationships.
Mistake 1: Waiting for a Health Crisis or Death
Families often delay planning because the current arrangement still works. Illness, injury, incapacity, or death rarely arrives…
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When an Aging Parent Can No Longer Make Decisions: 7 Signs It May Be Time to Consider Guardianship in Illinois is a difficult topic for many families. No one wants to take away a parent’s independence, and occasional forgetfulness does not automatically mean guardianship is necessary. However, when an older adult can no longer understand or communicate responsible decisions about personal care, finances, or safety, court-appointed guardianship may become one option for protection.
Illinois law treats guardianship as a serious measure. It should be used only to the extent necessary to protect a person from neglect, exploitation, or abuse while…
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Back-to-School Parenting Disputes: How to Resolve School, Activity, and Schedule Conflicts Early is an important topic for separated and divorced parents as summer winds down. By late July, many Illinois families are already thinking about school registration, supplies, transportation, extracurricular activities, and new routines. These decisions can become stressful when parents disagree or when the parenting plan does not clearly address the issue.
Back-to-school season does not have to lead to another court dispute. Many conflicts can be addressed through early communication, attorney-assisted negotiation, mediation, or a clearer written agreement.
Why Back-to-School Parenting Disputes Happen
The transition from summer to…
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Before Harvest Begins: Family Farm Succession Planning Conversations to Have Now is a timely reminder for farm families in late July. Once harvest season begins, there may be little time for difficult conversations about ownership, management, retirement, family expectations, or what happens if a key decision-maker becomes unavailable.
Farm succession planning is not just an estate-planning exercise. It is also a business-continuity plan, a family communication plan, and a risk-management tool. The earlier those conversations happen, the more options the family may have.
Why Late Summer Is a Good Time to Talk
Harvest brings pressure. Equipment needs to be ready,…
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In this installment of Ask Sam and Kendal, Rincker Law, PLLC associate attorneys Sam Ellis and Kendal A. Schoepfer explain the current status of FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule and why its continuing legal uncertainty matters to farmers, landowners, estate-planning clients, attorneys, title professionals, and others involved in transferring real estate to a trust or business entity.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, commonly known as FinCEN, created a nationwide reporting rule intended to increase transparency in certain non-financed residential real estate transactions. Although the rule was primarily promoted as a tool to combat money laundering, its broad language could…
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In this installment of Ask Sam and Kendal, Rincker Law, PLLC associate attorneys Sam Ellis and Kendal A. Schoepfer explain why transferring a farm to an LLC or trust became an important legal question after the federal government’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule took effect on March 1, 2026. Below, we explore “Could Transferring a Farm to an LLC or Trust Trigger FinCEN Reporting?”
The rule was intended to identify certain non-financed transfers of residential real estate to legal entities and trusts. Because many farm succession and estate-planning transactions involve deeds transferring property to family LLCs or trusts, the rule…
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The Illinois Farmer’s Annual Legal Checklist: What to Review Each Season can help farm owners address legal and business issues before they become expensive problems. Farming rarely leaves much time for paperwork, but contracts, leases, insurance policies, employment records, succession plans, and business filings should not be ignored until a dispute or emergency occurs. Dividing these reviews by season can make annual legal planning more manageable.
Winter: Review the Farm’s Business Foundation
Winter is often the best time to step back and review how the farm business is structured. Begin by examining the farm’s partnership agreement, LLC operating agreement, shareholder…
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What Happens to an LLC When Its Owner Dies in Illinois? The answer depends on whether the company has one owner or several, what the operating agreement says, and how the owner planned for the transfer. An Illinois LLC does not necessarily close when an owner dies, but the death can affect management authority, ownership rights, and the company’s ability to continue operating.
The LLC Does Not Automatically Disappear
An LLC is a legal entity separate from its owners. A member’s death does not cause the company’s contracts, property, employees, or debts to vanish. The business may continue, be purchased,…
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How to Avoid Money Mistakes in Marriage was the focus of a recent episode of the Money Girl podcast featuring family law attorney Cari Rincker. As part of host Laura Adams’ wedding series, Cari joined the show to discuss an important part of marriage that can easily be overshadowed by venues, guest lists, flowers, and honeymoon plans: financial transparency.
Marriage is a romantic commitment, but it is also a legal and financial partnership. Couples do not need to approach marriage expecting it to end. They should, however, understand the financial obligations they are assuming, the laws that could affect…
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Does My Child With Disabilities Need a Guardian at Age 18 in Illinois? The answer depends on your child’s ability to understand, make, and communicate responsible decisions, not simply on a diagnosis. When a child turns 18, Illinois generally treats that person as a legal adult, and a parent’s automatic authority ends. Some young adults may need a court-appointed guardian, while others may be able to make decisions with limited assistance or another legal arrangement.
What Changes When a Child Turns 18?
A parent’s legal guardianship over a child ends automatically when the child turns 18. After that birthday, a…
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