If your personal information has been stolen, taking immediate action is crucial to minimize damage and begin the recovery process. Here's a comprehensive checklist of steps to take.

To ensure your estate plan remains effective and accurately reflects your intentions over time, it is crucial to maintain comprehensive records alongside your original trust documents. We strongly recommend that you keep copies of all ownership changes and beneficiary designations in the estate planning binder we provided (or a similar secure location).

You can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) funds for qualified medical expenses, and these withdrawals are tax-free. However, if you withdraw funds for non-medical expenses before age 65, the withdrawals are subject to income tax and a 20% penalty. Here's a more detailed breakdown on using Your HSA Funds:

Haili Kowalski and her ex-husband entered into a legal separation agreement (LSA) that required the ex-husband to maintain a life insurance policy in the amount of $800,000 naming their minor son, E.K., as beneficiary. The ex-husband later started a new job that provided him with a Hartford insurance policy for $493,000. He named his girlfriend, Marilyne Valois, as the policy’s beneficiary.

You know to store harsh chemicals and medications safely; clearly labeled and in a difficult-to-reach spot, so they are never confused with harmless products. But many people ignore the fact that items in your fridge and pantry can become poison over time.

The Treasury Department is announcing today that, with respect to the Corporate Transparency Act, not only will it not enforce any penalties or fines associated with the beneficial ownership information reporting rule under the existing regulatory deadlines, but it will further not enforce any penalties or fines against U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies or their beneficial owners after the forthcoming rule changes take effect either.

The latest Medicaid and Veterans Pension figures have been released for 2025. Take note of the following changes and resources to learn more.

Exemption amounts for gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes are at historically high levels. However, absent congressional action, these exemptions are scheduled to revert to pre-2017 levels as of January 1, 2026. This is what is referred to as the coming “sunset.” Even if this dramatic decrease occurs as scheduled, the vast majority of American taxpayers are still likely to have estates below federally taxable thresholds. However, the sunset is likely to impact higher-net-worth clients, who may wish to take action now to preserve the benefits of the historically high exemptions.

As the necessity for long-term care increases and the costs for such care continue to rise, there is a greater and more pronounced need for attorneys to assist wartime Veterans and spouses with claims for benefits. VA Pension with Aid and Attendance is a foundational program for those who need another person’s assistance and whose livelihoods—physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially—are at risk. A claimant who is seeking benefits under the VA Pension rules must meet and pass service, medical, income, asset, and transfer tests.

Various public benefit programs are available to individuals living with disabilities and other challenges. This primer offers basic information about some common types of public benefits and can serve as an at-a-glance glossary of acronyms commonly used within the practice.

The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form is a tool for end-of-life planning. The form ensures that a patient's treatment wishes are known and will be followed by health care professionals during a medical crisis, when the patient cannot speak for themselves.

One of the most important reasons to pass on family history to the next generation is because it helps guide decision-making about your health. Family history can be a powerful antidote against adverse life experiences, showing us we can overcome disasters and survive tough times.

Teaching kids the basics of money management can help them develop the skills necessary to achieve financial success later in life. Introducing your children to the concept of earning money and spending mindfully when they are young can help them build a future of financial responsibility.

Funding a trust is the process of transferring your assets into the ownership of your trust. When properly prepared and funded, a trust can avoid the public, costly, and time-consuming court processes at death and incapacity.

No one wants to think about the possibility of someone else raising their child, but it’s important to have a plan for your children if something were to happen to you and your partner. Keep these considerations in mind when making your selection.

For both residents and family members, nursing home admissions occur during stressful and emotional times. As a result of this pressure, residents and family members are sometimes inclined to agree to whatever conditions the nursing home represents. Having an attorney review the nursing home contract before it can be signed will help make sure problems do not arise within the contract.

The Homebound State ID program is a service program for older adults, bedridden individuals, and people with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes to obtain a state ID card from a Secretary of State facility.

As individuals age, their commitment to gun safety should deepen, reflecting a combination of physical adaptation, heightened awareness, continued education, and a sense of responsibility to oneself and others. Here are some estate planning considerations for firearm owners.

Beginning in 2024, many Illinois businesses must report their beneficial owner(s) (individuals who own or control the business) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which is part of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Utilizing caregivers for the elderly is crucial for several reasons. Learn more about the benefits, what services may be offered, and further resource to help make the best decision for you or your loved one.