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To Probate Or Not To Probate? When That’s The Question …

The death of a loved one, whether sudden or expected, is never easy. If you’re in charge of settling their affairs after they’re gone, this guide can help. For starters, determine whether or not you need to open a Probate Estate. What is Probate? Probate is the legal process of settling the financial matters of […]

Have a Contract Dispute? #erwinlawanswers

Whether you’re a contractor or a customer, having a contractual dispute can be difficult. And confusing. It’s not always easy to understand what to do, if, and or how to enforce contractual provisions, or, if need be, pursue damages. There are a number of ways to resolve such disputes, but the resolution of any particular […]

I Just Got Divorced, Now What?

If you’ve just made it through the emotional (and logistical) roller coaster known as Divorce, you’re not alone! Even in a best-case situation where both spouses treat each other amicably, you’re looking at lots of major life changes all at once. Most divorce judgments focus on property division and parenting arrangements, overlooking Estate Planning—but one […]

Congratulations, You’re a New Parent! … Now What?!?

Caring for a new baby can feel overwhelming. There’s the feeding, and the changing and the sleepless nights … and that’s just the beginning! In the blink of an eye, you’ll be shopping for colleges together! There’s no better time than today to start planning for your little one’s future, and putting an estate plan […]

How Can I Avoid Probate for my Real Estate Holdings?

If you own residential or commercial real estate, it’s important to make sure that, upon your passing, your property will be transferred to the beneficiaries of your choice without being held up in probate. Why should I try to avoid probate? There are four good reasons to ensure that, after your death, a probate won’t […]

Will changes in the Estate Tax law affect me?

A looming estate planning issue is the possible expiration of certain provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which set the federal estate tax threshold at an historic high. Currently for an individual, the federal estate tax exemption threshold is at $13.61M. For a married couple, it’s at $27.22M. And while these numbers […]

You’ve been served …! Now what?

Though litigation is often difficult to avoid in today’s business climate, it can still feel like a punch in the gut when you or your company are sued and served with a summons and complaint. Knowing in advance how to prepare for such an eventuality can help ease anxieties and improve the chances of achieving […]

What recent court ruling favored Chicago landlords?

A Rare Win for Landlords. The Appellate Court of Illinois (First District) recently issued a ruling which addressed an issue that has long been of major concern to many attorneys representing landlords. And fortunately, the ruling affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of landlords. The issue at stake was whether or not a […]

What is Syndication?

Simply put, a syndicated real estate deal pairs a sponsor – the ‘syndicator’ – with a group of investors who have pooled their money for the sole purpose of buying real estate. The investors come to the table with money, while the sponsor comes to the table with the project (proposed land, building, concept etc.), […]

Are auto-renewing contracts legal?

An automatic renewal – or evergreen – clause is a provision which automatically renews a contract on its same terms. These clauses are commonplace, most often found in subscription-based service agreements – cloud storage … data plans … insurance … fitness club memberships, and the like. Unfortunately, and particularly within “old school” industries, these […]

Squatter Fodder – WGN recently aired an interesting story about a landlord/squatter situation, and turned to our Ezekial McDonald-Lewis for his thoughts

WGN talks to Associate Attorney Ezekial McDonald-Lewis

INTERNal REVIEW — Loved having Liam O’Keefe as our intern this summer

We asked him to tell us about his experience at Erwin Law “An Eye-Opening Summer” By William “Liam” O’Keefe It’s been a great summer interning here at Erwin Law. An eye-opening one, for sure! In my very first week, I delved into a real estate case involving two owners whose houses were part of an […]

LEGAL-EASE … NW Side Preservation Ordinance Demystified.

Erwin Law Founder James Erwin demystifies the NW Side Preservation Ordinance and its many nuances on a podcast with Grace Kolodziej.

Welcoming Stephen T. Blackburn to Erwin Law

Earlier this year, we added a terrific new member to the Erwin Law Team – Stephen T. Blackburn. And while you can find his ‘official’ bio at erwinlawfirm.com, we thought his answers to the following questions might help you to get to know the ‘real’ him … Do you have any nicknames? So, so many, […]

Northwest Side ROFR ordinance now in effect

The new Northwest Side Housing Ordinance (Right of First Refusal) is having a huge impact on real estate in the Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Avondale, Hermosa and West Town neighborhoods. There are lots of layers to this law, and its stringent restrictions could lead to long and frustrating transaction timelines. At Erwin Law, we’ve developed […]

Welcoming Elea Nielsen to Erwin Law

Late last year, we added a phenomenal new member to the Erwin Law Team — Elea Nielsen. And while you can find her ‘official’ bio at erwinlawfirm.com, we thought her answers to the following questions provide a better understanding of who she is … and what makes her tick! Where did you get your law […]

Erwin Law Founder sat down on Straight Up Chicago Investor podcast

Erwin Law Founder James Erwin recently sat down with Tom Shallcross and Mark Finley on their Straight Up Chicago Investor podcast to discuss all things real estate. Take a listen: Episode 330: James Erwin

The New Corporate Transparency Act: What YOU Need to Know

The US government recently passed a new law aimed at reducing dark money activities such as the financing of terrorist organizations and money laundering. This legislation, known as the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) will be administered by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, otherwise known to most as FinCEN. It takes effect January 1, 2024. This […]

Words Matter – The Pitfalls of Using “Please Advise” in Professional Communication

When navigating the seas of professional writing, it’s crucial to be mindful of phrasing. A commonly-used phrase, “please advise,” can sometimes, inadvertently, lead to choppy waters. Here’s why you may want to reconsider using it in your professional emails, legal documents, or other correspondences. The Ambiguity of the Ask “Please advise” is a blanket […]

Cheers to 30 Years!

While most of the communications you receive from Erwin Law are informational or educational in nature, this one’s a bit more personal… 2022 marks Erwin Law’s 30th Anniversary. And I find myself feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. I’ve been blessed with a wildly supportive, very understanding family that has made many sacrifices to ensure the Firm’s success … […]

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