Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Attorneys

» Web helps lawyer stay home more

Tim Ferraris doesn't need leather-bound books or a mahogany desk or even physical office space for that matter.

»  How To Pass On The Family Business
If you're brave enough, the time to transfer a business or other assets to your kids is when the economy is a wreck.

» Sell Google, Buy Baidu
Sure, Baidu is just one a slice of search, but it's the best slice. Sorry, Google.

» Leave exec compensation to boards, not lawmakers, SIFMA says

» Cook County Probate -- New Order re. "Expedited" Service

I've complained before about the huge backup in the Cook County Probate Court for deceased estates. This isn't the fault of the judges, who are working as quickly as they can; rather, it's a problem that has arisen because we have only four judges handling all of the deceased estates (new and old) in Cook County.

Luckily, Judge Budzinski has issued a general order aimed at helping to speed up the probate process. Recently, attorneys would have to wait four weeks or even more between filing their initial petition and getting a court date to open the estate. However, the general order (a copy of which is attached here) allows an attorney to schedule a hearing with Judge Cesario to open the estate if the attorney would otherwise not be able to get a court date within two weeks.