Properly funding a trust in Illinois means transferring ownership of your assets into the trust so the trust controls them instead of you personally. If a trust is not funded, it may not work the way you intended. That could mean your loved ones still have to go through probate, which is the court process used to distribute property after someone dies.
If you are reviewing your estate plan in 2026, it is important to confirm that your trust is fully funded. A DuPage County, IL estate planning lawyer can help ensure your assets are transferred correctly so your plan…
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In many cases, you can keep your car if you file for bankruptcy in Illinois. However, the outcome depends on the type of bankruptcy you file, how much equity you have in the vehicle, and whether you are current on the loan. This question matters to many families because cars are often essential for work and daily life.
As of 2026, vehicle debt is still a big issue for many Americans. Auto loan balances nationwide remained above $1.6 trillion in 2025. That debt will come up in a bankruptcy case. Our Naperville, IL bankruptcy lawyer can help you understand how…
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Buying a home with a VA loan in Wisconsin can be a strong option for eligible buyers. However, it often comes with issues that are not always immediately obvious. Many veterans expect the process to be simpler because of the benefits involved. In practice, VA loan rules can complicate purchases, especially in rural and northern parts of the state.
More than 528,000 VA home loans were issued in 2025, representing a 26.8 percent increase from the previous year. More veterans are buying homes while navigating stricter lending and property standards. As of 2026, VA loan requirements require that homes…
Continue Reading Common Issues When Buying a Home in Wisconsin With a VA Loan

A new year brings a fresh sense of motivation and perspective. People set goals to exercise more, save money, and finally tackle projects they have been avoiding – like getting their estate plan in order. If you have been putting off creating an estate plan, 2026 is the year to finally check that box.
Estate planning might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be, and the benefits are far and away worth the time it takes. With help from our DuPage County estate planning lawyer, you can protect your family and your assets. We explain things in clear,…
Continue Reading Your 2026 New Year's Resolution: Making an Estate Plan

Filing for bankruptcy in Illinois does not always mean you will lose your home. Whether you can keep it depends on several factors, including the type of bankruptcy you file, your home equity, and whether you are current on your mortgage. If you are considering bankruptcy, a Lisle, IL bankruptcy lawyer can help you understand how Illinois law applies to your situation. As of 2025, Illinois bankruptcy exemptions and federal bankruptcy rules still protect many homeowners.
Does Bankruptcy Automatically Mean I Lose My Home?
Filing for bankruptcy does not automatically result in losing your home. Bankruptcy is designed to give…
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Owners of commercial real estate in Illinois are experiencing one of the largest tax spikes in decades. Recent reassessments, particularly in Cook, DuPage, and Kane Counties, have sent commercial property values soaring – sometimes as much as 30 to 100 percent higher than in prior years. Landlords, developers, and investors are experiencing cash flow strain, escalating common-area maintenance (CAM) charges, and tenant disputes over tax pass-throughs.
Many of these assessment increases are based on aggressive income assumptions and outdated market comparables.  Barring a strategic appeal, these numbers can become locked in for years, raising both operating expenses and legal…
Continue Reading Illinois Commercial Property Tax Shock: How to Respond

Only about a third of American adults have an estate plan. While most people understand how important an estate plan is, fewer are willing to confront their own mortality and engage in estate planning. Other reasons given for not having an estate plan include being too busy and being too young – although tragedy can strike at any age.
Among those who do have an estate plan, one area of focus is determining how federal and state estate taxes could impact heirs. Many Illinois families are so focused on federal estate tax planning that they completely overlook the separate…
Continue Reading Illinois vs. Federal Estate Tax: Key Differences Explained

Many Illinois families think estate planning begins and ends with a will or trust. In reality, certain assets, including real estate, business interests, and investment property, may be protected more effectively through a Limited Liability Company (LLC). An LLC can serve as a powerful estate planning tool that protects assets from creditors, avoids probate, and allows you to control how and when future generations receive ownership.
An LLC can offer flexibility, protection, and control that traditional estate planning documents often lack. When used strategically, an LLC can streamline inheritance, reduce conflict, and safeguard your hard-earned assets. To gain these benefits,…
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In today’s housing market, Wisconsin homebuyers may turn to short sales as a potential way to become homeowners. Short sales are homes that are sold for less than the current owner owes on his or her mortgage. The sale must have the lender’s approval and usually occurs when a homeowner is in financial distress and can no longer make their monthly mortgage payments.
The lender, in an effort to avoid costly foreclosure proceedings, will agree to accept less than is owed on the mortgage. While a short sale can be a good real estate move to get more house for…
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Starting a new business in Illinois is much more complicated than choosing a name and opening your doors. One of the most important – yet often overlooked – issues involves selecting the most beneficial legal structure. In many cases, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers the best balance between tax efficiency, flexibility, and liability protection.
The Illinois Limited Liability Company Act (805 ILCS 180/) provides new business owners with information on filing rules, fees, and management requirements for an LLC. An experienced DuPage County, IL business formation lawyer can guide you through the process, whether you are forming…
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If you have ever bought or sold property, you know how challenging it can be. But what about when unexpected tax laws are part of the deal? A federal law known as the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) requires buyers to withhold a portion of the sale price when purchasing from a foreign seller.
Should you fail to comply with this Act, you could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes. Whether you are a buyer, seller, or real estate professional, you must understand FIRPTA’s role to avoid costly mistakes. It…
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Where divorce and death are concerned, states are either community property states – where all marital assets are divided 50/50 regardless of extenuating circumstances – or equitable division states, where marital assets are divided fairly but not necessarily equally. When neighboring states have different laws, it can make estate planning much more complex if property is owned in each state.
While Wisconsin is the only Midwestern state that follows community property rules, it is also the only state that has a bit of a hybrid situation, with courts directed to divide marital property “equally, but with discretion.”(Section 767.61).
Continue Reading When Community Property and Equitable Division States Collide

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when your monthly bills are outpacing your income. Over time, this may result in constant creditor calls, adding more stress to the situation. Perhaps you have considered bankruptcy, but never really pursued the idea. Many people still feel there is a stigma surrounding bankruptcy, while others do not really understand how bankruptcy works, so they have not actively pursued it as a financial solution.
Bankruptcy can help you get back on the right financial track, providing an immense sense of relief. Perhaps you have determined that bankruptcy may be the best financial solution for…
Continue Reading How Illinois Bankruptcy Works: Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13