Elder Law and Special Needs Update Year–End 2024 and MoreBy Zisl Edelson, J.D., MBATrusts and Estates, December 2024A discussion regarding the most important 2024 updates for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income of interest to estate planning practitioners.
Illinois Trust Code Amendments Adding New Obligations for TrusteesBy Neil T. GoltermannTrusts and Estates, December 2024The purpose of this article is to identify and discuss the amendments to Sections 809 and 810 of the Illinois Trust Code pursuant Public Act 103-0977, which is effective January 1, 2025, and the issues attorneys involved in drafting trusts, as well as the administration of trusts, may want to take into consideration.
The Logistics of Handling Powers of Attorney Under the Recent Amendments to the Act – Reasonable and Unreasonable Cause to RefuseBy Michael J. FleckTrusts and Estates, December 2024Senate Bill 3421 was enacted as Public Act 103-0994 on August 9, 2024, to be effective January 1, 2025. The Public Act makes certain changes to the Illinois Power of Attorney Act, specifically under Section 2-8. This article will focus on the practical logistics of handling powers of attorney due to these recent amendments, to minimize the chance that powers of attorney are rejected by a third party.
Statutory Amendments Affecting the Illinois Power of Attorney for Property – Boon or Bane for Estate Planning Attorneys?By Mia O. Hernandez & Jennifer Bunker SkerstonTrusts and Estates, December 2024Recently, lively discussion ensued among estate planning practitioner members of the Trusts and Estates Section on the ISBA Central Community discussion board regarding Public Act 103-0994, effective January 1, 2025, which amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act to add and describe unreasonable and reasonable causes for a third party to refuse to honor powers of attorney for property. The impetus for the Act’s amendment was to redress the perceived problem that it is not uncommon for third parties to unreasonably reject powers of attorney for property.
24 Legal Practice TipsBy Colleen L. SahlasTrusts and Estates, November 2024Tips learned from 24 years in legal practice of interest to trusts & estates practitioners.
In re Hirschfeld—Presumptions of Gift or Undue Influence, Fraud for POA SpouseBy Chad J. RichterTrusts and Estates, November 2024On August 1, 2023, the Illinois Appellate Court of the Fifth District clarified a nuance to the burden-shifting presumptions applied to spouses and fiduciaries. The Hirschfeld case concerned a citation to recover assets proceeding brought by the decedent’s children of a former marriage against the surviving spouse, who was also the attorney-in-fact of the decedent.
Twelve Tips for New Probate AttorneysBy Mary E. VanekTrusts and Estates, October 2024Tips on key issues that attorneys new to probate practice struggle with in court.
Thank You to Our AuthorsBy Jennifer Bunker SkerstonTrusts and Estates, September 2024A thank you to the authors who contributed to the 2023-24 bar year issues of the Trusts & Estates newsletter.
The Importance of Estate Planning: Issues Facing Minor BeneficiariesBy Angel WawrzynekTrusts and Estates, July 2024As a result of the maxim that minors cannot legally represent their own interests in court, lawsuits are often filed by the parent or next of kin. In the trust and estate context, this is generally insufficient.
Taxable IRAs and Credit Shelter Trusts Under the SECURE ActBy Curt W. FergusonEmployee Benefits, June 2024Trusts can be designed to give the second and third beneficiary types broad control over their inheritance even while they benefit from the tax and catastrophe protections.
Taxable IRAs and Credit Shelter Trusts Under the SECURE ActBy Curt W. FergusonTrusts and Estates, May 2024Trusts can be designed to give the second and third beneficiary types broad control over their inheritance even while they benefit from the tax and catastrophe protections.