An estate plan generally involves human heirs, such as children and grandchildren, but this is not always the case. Some individuals have non-human dependents to consider. Does that mean everyone should include their pet in an estate plan? Not necessarily, but it might be worth considering if there is even the slightest possibility that your companion may outlive you. It is important to understand when this kind of provision is legally feasible and how you can take the first step toward implementing it in your estate plan.
At A. Traub & Associates, we know how much your pets mean to
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Why Having a Strong Estate Plan Matters
A comprehensive estate plan is important for protecting your beneficiaries and making sure your preferences for end-of-life care are respected. However, a recent caring.com survey found that less than a quarter of Americans have a will in place. If you need help setting up an estate plan – or simply don’t know where to start – reach out to a Schaumburg, IL estate planning attorney.
At A. Traub & Associates, we have built up a reputation for providing clear legal guidance and attending to our clients’ needs, resulting in over 150 5-star reviews. We can draft and review
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How to Handle Property Division in a Contested Divorce
Deciding who keeps what is often one of the hardest parts of a divorce. If you and your soon-to-be ex disagree about how to split up your shared property, it is important to know how Illinois law addresses the division of assets during a divorce. At A. Traub & Associates, our Arlington Heights, IL divorce lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience, and we can guide you through the most difficult parts of asset division.
The Difference Between Marital and Separate Property (And Why it Matters)
In Illinois, asset division usually starts with making the distinction between
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Common Mistakes People Make With DIY Estate Planning
In today’s world, you can Google a “how-to” on nearly anything. Want to build a playhouse for your children? There are YouTube videos to show you how. Trying to become a better writer? A quick search can offer you thousands of workbooks, prompts, and exercises. Need a will or a power of attorney document? Countless resources are available to help you skip the “hassle” of hiring an estate planning lawyer. Unfortunately, a do-it-yourself estate plan is rarely a good idea, as even a small mistake can have significant consequences.
Retaining an estate planning attorney may seem unnecessary, especially as you
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How Can I Get Full Custody in Illinois?
The stakes are high when a parent seeks full custody. These decisions shape where a child lives, where they go to school, and who makes critical choices about their upbringing. Illinois law has moved away from traditional “custody” language, instead using “allocation of parental responsibilities” to determine parenting time and decision-making authority.
A judge will award one parent the majority of parenting time or sole decision-making power only when clear evidence proves this arrangement serves the child’s best interests. DuPage County courts follow the framework established in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act when making these decisions.
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What to Know as a Stay-at-Home Mom Getting Divorced
For a stay-at-home mom, getting a divorce can bring unique financial and custody challenges. You may worry about how you will support yourself, where you will live, or how the divorce could affect your relationship with your children. The good news is that you do not have to learn the law overnight. Our Schaumburg, IL, divorce lawyers can help. We will explain your options clearly so that your post-divorce future is less intimidating.
What Are Your Legal Rights as a Stay-at-Home Mom in an Illinois Divorce?
In Illinois, both spouses have rights in a divorce, even if one spouse did
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When Can Judges Order Higher Than Normal Child Support?
In Illinois, courts use specific guidelines to calculate child support. These guidelines are meant to be fair, but sometimes the amount determined by usual calculations is not enough. Judges can order higher child support when a child’s needs go beyond the basic formula. If you have questions about paying or receiving child support payments, our experienced DuPage County, IL child support lawyers can answer them.
What Is the Basic Formula for Child Support in Illinois?
When calculating child support, Illinois uses an “income shares” model, under 750 ILCS 5/505, that looks at both parents’ incomes and how much
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When Should a Beneficiary of a Will Have a Lawyer?
Being named as a beneficiary in a loved one’s will can open the door to many questions. What is probate? What are your rights during the process? Is the executor treating you fairly? Beneficiaries in Illinois have specific legal protections, but those rights can only be enforced if you know how the process works and take action when needed. If you are unsure where to begin, our Arlington Heights, IL beneficiary representation lawyers can help. With legal counsel, you have someone to walk you through the process and ensure that no one violates your rights.
What Does It Mean To
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When Does Gambling Constitute Asset Dissipation?
Divorce can be difficult, especially when one spouse’s financial choices hurt the couple’s shared property. Gambling is a common example of this problem. When a spouse uses marital money for gambling instead of household or family needs, it can affect how the court divides property.
If you believe your spouse’s gambling has drained your joint finances, your attorney can help you find records, analyze spending, and show how that behavior affected your financial situation. Working with experienced Schaumburg, IL divorce lawyers ensures that wasted money is properly considered in your case.
How Illinois Law Defines Asset Dissipation
Illinois law
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Understanding Your Rights as a Father in Illinois Family Court
Fathers have important legal rights when navigating family court in Illinois during divorce and child custody cases. Still, many dads do not fully understand what those rights are or how to use them. The experienced DuPage County, IL fathers’ rights lawyers at A. Traub & Associates can guide you through each step and help you protect your role in your child’s life.
Presumption of Equal Parenting Time in Illinois
In recent years, Illinois law established a presumption that both parents are fit and that equal parenting time is in the children’s best interests. This means judges often try to create
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What Is Adult Guardianship in Illinois and How Does it Work?
Illinois courts sometimes appoint a guardian for someone if they cannot make significant life decisions on their own. This can include older adults who are living with dementia. It may also apply to adults with developmental disabilities. Guardianship may be needed for someone who has suffered a serious illness or injury and can no longer manage their own care.
It is not about taking away rights for no reason. Instead, it is a safety measure the court uses when no other less restrictive option exists. If you have questions about guardianship, seek legal guidance right away. An experienced Arlington Heights,
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How Does Relocation Affect a Custody Agreement in Illinois?
Moving a significant distance gets complicated when you share parental responsibilities, commonly known as custody. Illinois law has rules about when a parent must ask the court for permission before relocating with a child. The purpose is to protect your child’s best interests. However, the law also protects your right to parenting time. If you are thinking about relocating, working with experienced Schaumburg, IL child custody lawyers can help you understand the law and what judges look for when making decisions.
When Do You Need the Court’s Permission To Relocate With Your Child?
Not every move counts as a
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Do All Estates in Illinois Have To Go Through Probate?
When a person dies in Illinois, it is not automatic that their estate must go through probate. Whether probate is required depends on the size of the estate and the type of assets involved. Sometimes, it depends on the structure of the estate plan.
Some estates qualify for simplified procedures, while others can avoid probate entirely through proper planning. Understanding when probate applies can help families prepare for what comes next. Working with experienced lawyers is the first step to ensure that what happens to your estate after your death is in line with your wishes.
What Is Probate
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Can Beneficiaries Challenge a Will in Illinois?
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the legal process that follows can add stress and confusion. If you believe a will does not reflect your loved one’s true intentions, you may have the right to contest it. Illinois law allows certain people to challenge a will, but the process can be complex. A Lombard, IL estate planning attorney can explain your rights and guide you through the steps.
Who Can Contest a Will in Illinois?
Not everyone has the right to challenge a will. Under Illinois probate law, only individuals with a direct financial interest in the
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Do I Need a DNA Test to Prove That I Am the Father in Illinois?
Many fathers establish legal parentage without a lab test. If both parents agree, you can use simple paperwork or rely on rules tied to marriage. However, when there is a disagreement or confusion about who a child’s biological parents are, the court can step in to help work it out in the best interests of the child.
The right path depends on your relationship with the child’s mother, what the birth record shows, and whether anyone is challenging your paternity. A short meeting with an experienced Arlington Heights, IL paternity attorney can help you choose the option that protects your
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Can I Change My Child Support Order in Illinois?
Illinois family courts recognize that jobs change, health needs grow, and parenting time can shift. For this reason, the law allows you to ask the court to make changes to your child support arrangement when the current order no longer fits real life. The goal is to keep support fair and tied to your child’s best interests as circumstances evolve for both parents. If you need to modify your child support order, an experienced Wheaton, IL child support attorney can help.
When Can a Child Support Order Be Modified in Illinois?
According to 750 ILCS 5/510, a judge may
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