Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Attorneys

» Wealthy Avoid New Jersey
Study suggests high-tax states pay a stiff price.

» Psycho' just as scary 50 years later

Can we slow it all down, just a bit? For Goda s sake, Dennis Hopper is making out his last will and testament, George Blanda is 82, and a oePsychoa is celebrating its 50th anniversary of scaring the wits, and everything else, out of us.

» Antioch Man Accused Of Hammer Attack Arraigned

Check out mug shots of the area's Wanted Criminals. Click Here to get started! Military Service Show Your American Pride Read about soldier homecomings, print a flag or donate to one of many charities set up to support our troops in our military service section.

» Trust-Administration Agreements

Setting up a trust can be a pretty effective way of avoiding expensive and public court proceedings (which are necessary in a probate situation). But sometimes problems arise with a trust, problems where a court proceeding may be needed. Settlements are always a possibility, but there's been some confusion in the past about how you work out a settlement, especially when not all parties are of age (or even born).

Due to an amendment to the Illinois Trusts and Trustees Act, there may be a new solution. Lyman Welch and Susan Bart describe the amendment in this Illinois Bar Journal article (it's from November of '09, but I just read it, so it's new to me!). The amendment adds section (d) to 760 ILCS 5/16.1. Some situations in which you may be able to use 16.1(d) to enter into a "nonjudicial settlement agreement":

-interpretation or construction of trust terms;
-resignation or appointment of a trustee; and
-exercise or nonexercise of a power by the trustee.

There are other situations outlined in the article, which I highly recommend.

» Confessions of an Auto Insurance Agent
Car insurance is an unavoidable expense, here are some tips for keeping costs down.