When families have many treasured vacation homes full of memories, ensuring these unique properties remain in the family for generations should be an estate planning priority. You must know how to do this properly. An Illinois lawyer can help you make sure you fill out the correct documents and make sure you use the proper terms so there are no hurdles later.
Choose Beneficiaries Wisely
Carefully select who should inherit your vacation home upon your passing. Jointly owned homes often transfer automatically to a co-owner. For sole owners, name beneficiaries in your will or living trust to receive the home.
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How to Avoid Probate for Illinois Real Estate Holdings
If you own residential or commercial real estate in Illinois, ensuring your properties transfer smoothly to chosen beneficiaries without getting tied up in probate should be an estate planning priority. You should be aware of your options that can help you avoid the time-consuming and public probate process for your real estate holdings. An Illinois lawyer can help you figure out the best option for you.
Understand Probate’s Drawbacks
In Illinois, probating a will can take six months to two years. During this period, your properties may sit idle while beneficiaries wait to take ownership. Probate records are also public,…
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Managing Digital Assets in Your Illinois Estate Plan
Nowadays, most of us have tons of valuable digital assets – from social media accounts to cryptocurrency wallets. Making sure these all get adequately handled after you are gone takes some planning. Working with an Illinois lawyer to include digital assets in your estate plan is wise to ensure it is all legally done right.
Why Digital Assets Matter
Digital assets can have financial and sentimental value, so they are important to address in your estate plan. Online accounts, photos, videos, and domain names are valuable and should be managed carefully. Leaving behind an unfinished online presence can also complicate…
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Navigating a Property Dispute Case
Dealing with property disputes can be a complex process. With the right help by your side, you can work to resolve these issues and protect your interests. An Illinois lawyer can help you with property disputes so you do not feel overwhelmed. There are a few things that you should know to make sure you are handling your dispute correctly.
Reviewing Relevant Documents
An important part of resolving property disputes involves reviewing relevant documents such as deeds, property surveys, plats, titles, easements, covenants, and prior contracts. These records often contain pivotal details regarding intended property boundaries, easements, ownership interests, rights…
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Common Real Estate Transfer Mistakes to Avoid in Illinois
When transferring a property title, even small mistakes can cause major legal and financial headaches down the road. Here are some of the most common Illinois real estate transfer mistakes to avoid under Illinois law and how a lawyer can help.
Signing Before Final Walkthrough
Do not sign final closing documents until completing a final property walkthrough to ensure no changes or new damage has occurred. It is tempting to sign closing papers early to get one step closer to moving in, but this risks major unnoticed problems.
Sellers could cover up or fail to disclose issues like roof leaks,…
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Break Your Illinois Home Lease Legally – What Tenants Should Know
Ending your residential lease early can be complicated in Illinois. While the law does allow tenants to break a lease under certain conditions, you must follow proper protocols. Tenants who terminate illegally risk financial penalties and eviction. A lawyer can help you, but it is important you also follow the proper legal steps. Here is what you should do for a lawful process for early lease termination in Illinois.
Review Your Lease Agreement Carefully
The first step is to thoroughly read your entire lease agreement, paying close attention to any provisions about early termination. Many leases outline specific notice periods,…
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What Types of Assets Can Be Placed in a Trust?
One of the most popular estate planning tools that are available is a trust. There are a number of different types of trusts that can be utilized, depending on what your needs are. Many of the clients who meet with our Illinois estate planning attorneys are often surprised at the number of assets that can be protected by placing them in a trust. The following touches on some of the benefits a trust offers. Contact our office for more detailed information.
What Is a Trust?
A trust is a legal instrument that protects assets from various risks that could ultimately…
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What Should Be Included in an Illinois Real Estate Contract?
One of the most critical pieces of documentation in a real estate transaction is the purchase contract between the buyer and seller. This contract is usually drafted once the buyer has made an offer on the property and the seller has accepted that offer. This contract outlines all of the terms and conditions of the transaction, providing protection for both parties. The following are some of the key components that should be included in the contract. For more detailed information regarding a real estate transaction you are considering, make sure to consult with a qualified real estate attorney.
Basic Information…
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Factors to Consider When Choosing a Legal Guardian for Your Child
One of the most crucial decisions parents will need to make is choosing who will be their child’s legal guardian in the event they are unable to care for their child because of illness, incapacity, death, or other unexpected circumstances. The person they choose will need to step in to provide the love, support, and guidance that every child needs.
When deciding who this person should be, the following are some of the factors that parents should consider.
Shared Values and Beliefs
When choosing a legal guardian for your child, you want to make sure it is someone who shares…
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What Are the Benefits of a Pour-Over Will?
There are many estate planning tools available that will ensure your family is protected when you are no longer here. One of those tools is called a pour-over will. A pour-over will is a type of will that works in alliance with a revocable trust (also referred to as a living trust). The purpose of a pour-over will is to make sure that any assets that the decedent did not get the opportunity to place in the trust before they die are transferred into the trust upon their death.
Integration with a Revocable Trust
A pour-over will is designed…
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Why a Title Search Is Essential in Every Real Estate Deal
A title search involves investigating the history of a property’s ownership and legal status to ensure there is a clear and marketable title. It is a vital step in any real estate transaction and should never be overlooked. When engaging in any real estate transaction, whether buying or selling a property, conducting a thorough title search is paramount, providing essential information that protects all parties involved and ensures a smooth transfer of ownership.
Rightful Ownership
One primary purpose of a title search is to establish the rightful owner of the property. By examining public records, including deeds, mortgages, and…
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What Are the Benefits of an LLC?
When you start a business, one of the most important decisions you will need to make is what business structure your company will have. Structuring a business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers several advantages that make it a popular choice among entrepreneurs. Whether you are starting a small business or embarking on a new venture, considering the benefits of an LLC can help you make an informed decision. The following are some key advantages of structuring a business as an LLC. For more detailed information, contact [[title]] for legal assistance.
Limited Liability Protection
One of the primary benefits…
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What Business Formation Is the Right One for Your Company?
Business formations refer to the legal structures that entrepreneurs can choose when starting a business. These structures determine issues such as liability, taxation, ownership, and decision-making processes. The following is a brief overview of the four most common types of business structures. For more detailed information, contact [[title]].
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common type of business formation. In this structure, a single individual owns and operates the business. It offers ease of setup and allows the owner to have complete control over decision-making. However, the owner is personally liable for the business’s debts and…
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What Types of Trusts Are Available for Your Estate Plan?
There are multiple estate planning tools available that can help ensure your family is protected when you are no longer here. One of the most common instruments used is trusts. Trusts allow individuals to transfer assets to their beneficiaries while avoiding probate and minimizing tax liabilities. There are several different types of trusts available, each with its own unique benefits and limitations. The following is a brief overview. For more detailed information, call our office to speak with a seasoned estate planning attorney.
Revocable Trust
A revocable trust, also known as a living trust, is a trust that can…
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Key Considerations for Your Partnership Agreement
A business partnership allows a company to benefit from the skills, experience, and unique perspectives of multiple people. Partnering with another person also allows you to share expenses and job responsibilities, promoting a healthier work-life balance.
However, partnerships are not without risk – especially if you do not have a solid partnership agreement in place. To give your company the best chances of long-term success and reduce the risk of conflict, make sure you have a well-written partnership agreement that includes details about decision-making authority, profits and distribution, ownership percentages, and how the partnership can be modified or dissolved.
Ownership…
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Compelling Reasons to Set Up an Advance Directive ASAP
For many people, estate planning and incapacitation planning are responsibilities that get put off as long as possible. Understandably, most people do not want to face their own mortality and plan for incapacitation or death. However, these responsibilities are extremely important and should not be procrastinated. A severe injury or illness can occur at any time to anyone.
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to make decisions about how your medical and financial decision making will be handled if you cannot make the decisions yourself.
Types of Advance Directives
Advance directives allow you to remain in control of…
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