Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Attorneys

» Cook County Probate Procedure Changes

A couple of things involving probate in Cook County that have changed recently (or maybe I just became aware of):

1. Fee increase. It now costs $304 in fees to open a probate estate worth more than $15,000, up from $279. The entire fee schedule can be found here (as a PDF).

2. Cover sheet. One procedural thing that needs to be done when you go to file your petition to open an estate: completing a probate division cover sheet. I don't know why it's needed, but it is -- the form is here (again, as a PDF).

» SEC busts Internet scam

»  Uncovering Hidden Assets
Your spouse could be hiding assets in offshore accounts or in a seemingly benign charitable foundation. Here's how to find out.

» 30 Rock, Dr. King, and The Estate Tax

Last night's episode of 30 Rock (still, I think, the funniest show on TV) featured TV executive Jack Donaghy (played by Alec Baldwin) trying to convince Tracy Jordan (played by Tracy Morgan) to become the celebrity voice of the Republican party. Jordan's resulting commercial, meant to appeal to what he first refers to as "blackmericans," is pretty funny:

My fellow black Americans. Dr. King once had a dream, a dream that we all share: to build a 200-foot wall to keep Mexico out. And he also hated the estate tax.

(Later, Jordan says that "I get it -- the Republican party means less taxes, more guns, and the end of the gun tax.") The whole episode is available for free here -- the commercial comes at around 15:45, but the entire thing is really funny (especially Baldwin's Richard Nixon impression).

»  TurboTax Picks Up Speed
Intuit seems be gaining market share from H&R Block.