In most cases, a request for guardianship over an incapacitated adult is in the best interests of that adult, and it proceeds as planned in court. However, there are certain situations in which one or more people might object to a guardianship for different reasons. The following is a brief overview of two common reasons for guardianship objections. If…
Many people view estate planning as protecting their hard-earned property and assets, though the focus of estate planning is also largely on the protection of your close family members and other loved ones. If you pass away, they will be going through an emotionally difficult time, so it is important to take steps to make the legal process of…
If an adult becomes incapacitated and does not have a power of attorney in place for someone to take over their affairs, it can be necessary to initiate the guardianship process. However, this process can take time – especially if someone objects – and there might be the need for a guardian to be in place immediately. Discuss the…
The death of a loved one can be traumatizing, and your family might be going through a difficult period of grief. This difficult situation can become even more so if you learn that your loved one passed away without having a valid last will and testament. Many people underestimate the importance of a will, or believe that estate planning…
If you have a loved one who is struggling to care for themselves, it can be a difficult situation. In addition, if they do not have a power of attorney in place, how can someone step in and take over their affairs? In Illinois, seeking guardianship might be the right option. What is Guardianship? There are two types of…
Descendants are – simply put – people who descend from you. These are some of the individuals who will inherit your estate under Illinois law if you pass away without a will. Similarly, if your parent or grandparent passes away without a will, you might inherit some of their property as a descendant. Like every state, Illinois has laws…
After a person passes away, their estate must go through a process known as probate. During probate, any will the decedent left is proven, and the estate is administered. Some of the specific tasks that occur during probate include paying off debts and taxes, identifying the assets of the estate, and transferring assets to the appropriate parties. There are…
Every state sets out laws with requirements for drafting a valid last will and testament. It is important to make sure your will meets all the necessary requirements to prevent will contests during the probate process. In Illinois, some basic requirements include the following: You must be at least 18 years of age You must sign the will in…
After a loved one passes away, the last thing you want is to go through a complex legal process. However, in most situations, it is necessary to resolve a probate case before the deceased person’s estate can be distributed and closed. It is natural to wonder: how long does this generally take? While no two probate cases are the…
Many people begin operating a business on their own without formally creating an LLC or corporation with the state. This is called operating a sole proprietorship, and there are benefits to doing so, such as no filing requirements and simple pass-through taxation. However, in exchange for these benefits, sole proprietors receive no protections from personal liability for the debts…
