Book Review: Stack the Legal Odds in Your Favor

What happens when an attorney and a guy who’s not a lawyer with a history fighting in court on his own get together to create a legal self-help book? You get a book with an attitude.  Think Mark Wahlberg in the courtroom. Authors Tom Scott and Sara Naheedy combine to bring the attitude and the […]

Illinois Requirements for a Valid Last Will and Testament

The Constitution’s Tenth Amendment notes that any power not given to the federal government is reserved to the states or the people. The Constitution does not give the federal government power over the disposition of property upon someone’s death.[1] This is a power reserved to the states, and the law in this area varies from […]

Considerations in Appointing a Child’s Guardian in a Will

There are many reasons to create a Last Will and Testament, but for parents with a minor child, appointment of a child’s guardian is among the best.  Doing so may be a parent’s best chance at choosing a child’s guardian angel. Estate planning has many facets including property titles, trust documents and more, but none […]

A Will Alone Does Not Avoid Probate, A Living Trust Can Help

There are many reasons to have a will, but avoiding probate is not among them. Other tools such as a living trust can help achieve that goal. There are legal documents and procedures beyond having a valid Last Will & Testament that constitute “estate planning”.  A person’s “estate” is his/her “net worth” at any moment. […]