Blogs From the Plan Forward Legal Team
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How Long Does Probate Take In Illinois?
Probate is the court-supervised process of legally distributing assets whether the deceased person does or does not have a will. Without any issues, including disgruntled family members, probate can close the estate within 10-12months. However, even with a “simple” estate, probate can take several years. At Plan Forward Legal, our Chicago estate planning attorney helps…
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Year-End Gift Tax Moves: Should You Give Before December 31?
As the year winds down, people start thinking about more than holiday travel and wrapping paper. They begin to consider whether the final weeks of the calendar year are the right moment to transfer wealth to the next generation. For families focused on long-term planning, the question isn’t simply “Should I give?” but “Should I…
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Cryptocurrency and Your Estate Plan: How to Protect Digital Assets for Your Family
Cryptocurrency has moved from a niche curiosity to a real part of modern wealth. Many Americans now own some form of digital currency or token. Major financial institutions like Fidelity and BlackRock offer crypto products or exposure. Families who never would have pictured themselves as Bitcoin holders a decade ago now treat digital assets like…
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Yes, Mom & Dad, We Do Need an Estate Plan: 5 Main Reasons
If you’ve clicked into this blog, congratulations, you’re already ahead of the majority of Americans. Surveys show that more than half of adults still do not have any estate planning documents. Not a will. Not a trust. Not even a power of attorney. Just vibes and a dream. Estate planning attorneys see this every day.…
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What’s The Difference Between a Revocable Trust and an Irrevocable Trust?
A trust is a separate legal entity that can own assets. The trust relationship separates the ownership of assets into a legal owner (the trust) and a beneficial owner (the beneficiary). An appointed trustee manages trust assets. Estate plans can use trusts to protect wealth, preserve privacy, minimize taxes, manage a business, or provide for…
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Types of Powers of Attorney in Illinois
A power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents you can sign in Illinois. It decides who is allowed to act for you if you cannot act for yourself, and it can keep your family out of court, out of conflict, and out of crisis. Illinois has its own detailed statute,…
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Supreme Court Rejects Attempt To Overturn Same Sex Marriage Ruling | What This Means For Your Family
On November 10, 2025, the United States Supreme Court denied the request of a former county clerk from Kentucky who had petitioned the Court to reconsider its 2015 decision recognizing same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. We’ve been waiting for this Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling. While the Supreme Court’s affirmation of its previous decision is…