Losing a parent can be one of the most impactful events in life, and all the necessary tasks that come afterward can feel daunting. But with a little guidance, you can work through everything, one step at a time. Here’s a timeline and list of tasks you’ll want to pay attention to: Day One: • […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

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.), […]