Section Newsletters

Articles on Estate Planning

Estate Planning and Probate in Illinois and France By Lynne R. Ostfeld International and Immigration Law, September 2022 A comparison of estate planning and probate laws in France and Illinois.
Estate Planning for Millennials: Choosing Your Top Friends By Priya Thennarasu Young Lawyers Division, March 2021 Estate planning tips for millennials.
Creative Estate Planning: Solving Common Estate Planning Problems With Innovative Solutions By Kenneth Adam Piercey, J.D. Elder Law, April 2020 Examples of innovative estate planning strategies that can be used to achieve better outcomes for clients.
Powers of Attorney: Pitfalls and Best Practices Part 1—Powers of Attorney for Property By Susan Dawson-Tibbits Elder Law, April 2020 The first in a two-part series of articles focusing on problematic areas and best practices used in the preparation of various types of powers of attorney.
Creative Estate Planning: Solving Common Estate Planning Problems With Innovative Solutions By Kenneth Adam Piercey, J.D. Trusts and Estates, March 2020 Examples of innovative estate planning strategies that can be used to achieve better outcomes for clients.
Estate Planning for Frequent Flier Miles By Robert L. Schur Trusts and Estates, March 2020 Planning for disposition of airline miles at death represents a new, largely untapped opportunity for estate planning attorneys to be relevant to clients without estate tax issues.
Powers of Attorney: Pitfalls and Best Practices Part 1—Powers of Attorney for Property By Susan Dawson-Tibbits Trusts and Estates, March 2020 The first in a two-part series of articles focusing on problematic areas and best practices used in the preparation of various types of powers of attorney.
2 comments (Most recent March 31, 2020)
The New Illinois Trust Code: Key Provisions for Elder Law and Special Needs Attorneys By Zisl Edelson, J.D., MBA Trusts and Estates, January 2020 A brief overview of the Illinois Trust Code provisions that have the biggest impact on aspects of estate planning relating to elder law and special needs planning.
The SECURE Act poised to eliminate common estate planning technique By Lawrence J. Gregory Trusts and Estates, July 2019 The SECURE Act will make it easier for individuals to save for retirement, however, it restricts a popular estate planning technique commonly used to preserve and grow qualified assets for future generations.
Estate and income planning tips and checklists By Dennis J. Jacknewitz Trusts and Estates, April 2019 Practical information and tips to assist attorneys at the beginning of the estate planning process.
Estate and income planning tips and checklists By Dennis J. Jacknewitz Business Advice and Financial Planning, March 2019 Practical information and tips to assist attorneys at the beginning of the estate planning process.
Estate planning for the second marriage By Richard W. Kuhn Trusts and Estates, March 2019 The fourth installment in a series of articles on estate planning for the second marriage.
Estate planning for the second marriage By Richard W. Kuhn Trusts and Estates, January 2019 The second installment in a series of articles on estate planning for the second marriage.
Estate planning for non-human animals by human animals: Why, who, and how By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, December 2018 An overview of estate planning for non-human living creatures, particularly domestic or pet animals, that are considered property or things under the law.
Estate planning for the second marriage By Richard W. Kuhn Trusts and Estates, December 2018 The is the first in a series of articles on estate planning for the second marriage.
New developments in estate planning, elder law, and Medicaid civil rights By Zisl Edelson Trusts and Estates, June 2018 Estate planning attorneys comfortable with federal litigation have a unique opportunity to help make things right for the elderly and disabled in Illinois through civil rights actions under the Federal Medicaid Act.
Routine estate planning questions from married homeowners By Ian Holzhauer Trusts and Estates, June 2018 Routine estate planning questions from married homeowners regarding mortgage acceleration clauses and titling of property in trust in tenancy by the entirety.
1 comment (Most recent July 2, 2018)
The Vital Records Act amendment By Michael J. Maslanka Trusts and Estates, April 2018 The Vital Records Act was amended as of January 1, 2018. 
Who gets the painting on the living room wall? By Cary A. Lind Business Advice and Financial Planning, October 2017 Distributing tangible property can be one of the most trying tasks that a fiduciary has, whether the distribution is through a Probate estate or through a trust.
20 estate planning tips By Michael H. Erde Trusts and Estates, September 2017 Practical tips drawn from 48 years of practice, compiled by author Michael Erde.
2 comments (Most recent November 10, 2017)
Who gets the painting on the living room wall? By Cary A. Lind Trusts and Estates, September 2017 Distributing tangible property can be one of the most trying tasks that a fiduciary has, whether the distribution is through a Probate estate or through a trust.
Who gets the painting on the living room wall? By Cary A. Lind Elder Law, September 2017 Distributing tangible property can be one of the most trying tasks that a fiduciary has, whether the distribution is through a Probate estate or through a trust.
Estate planning issues for divorced women By Sonia D. Coleman Women and the Law, February 2017 Even in circumstances where it is clear that divorce is the best option, it is still challenging emotionally, spiritually and financially. It is imperative for women, particularly women with assets, to seek the advice of experienced professionals for guidance through this life-changing experience.
The Howell decision and the future of estate planning for adult disabled clients By Sarah LeRose Trusts and Estates, October 2015 In light of Estate of Howell v. Howell, an estate guardian of a disabled adult may propose an estate plan which deviates from intestacy, provided the guardian believes that the proposed plan is in keeping with the ward’s wishes.
Ehics corner: Estate planning attorneys should not ignore their own mortality By Michael J. Drabant Trusts and Estates, September 2015 Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756 now requires that in each lawyer’s annual registration, he or she must disclose whether there is a written succession plan in place for their firm.
Relying on a homestead exemption? Make sure your client is on title By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, September 2014 The recent decision of GMAC Mortgage, LLC, v. Arrigo et al demonstrates the pitfalls that not formalizing title may bring.
The new emphasis on basis in estate planning By George L. Schoenbeck Young Lawyers Division, June 2014 Since the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 in early 2013, the vast majority of well-structured estate plans balance estate tax considerations, where relevant, with long-term income tax minimization goals and a variety of other estate planning considerations.
The new emphasis on basis in estate planning By George L. Schoenbeck Trusts and Estates, June 2014 Since the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 in early 2013, the vast majority of well-structured estate plans balance estate tax considerations, where relevant, with long-term income tax minimization goals and a variety of other estate planning considerations.
Taking charge By Anna Fridman Women and the Law, March 2012 It frequently appears that the male spouses tend to be more heavily involved in the estate planning process; women sometimes take the supporting role and defer to their significant others to make the “right choices.” But it is important to have the conversation about your ultimate vision and make sure that your voice is heard and captured in the estate plan. 
Philanthropic estate planning using community foundations By Dennis J. Jacknewitz Trusts and Estates, September 2011 A look at what constitutes a community foundation, how it differs from a private foundation, and how an attorney can utilize community foundations for particular client charitable needs.

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