Insights
Estate, trust & business law,
in plain language.
Practical guidance for Illinois and Missouri families and business owners — written to be understood, not to impress.
FinCEN Residential Real Estate Rule Update
An update on the status of FinCEN's residential real estate reporting rule and what it means for property owners and entities.
April 17, 2026What Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost in Illinois?
What a revocable living trust actually costs in Illinois, what drives the price, and how it compares to the cost of probate.
February 22, 2026FinCEN's Real Estate Reporting Rule: What It Means for LLCs, Partnerships, Corporations, and Trusts
FinCEN's residential real estate reporting requirement and what it means for transfers involving LLCs, partnerships, corporations, and trusts.
January 31, 2026Stock vs. Asset Purchase: What to Know Before Buying or Selling a Business
Stock sale or asset sale? The choice drives taxes, liability, and risk. What Illinois and Missouri business owners must weigh before a deal.
December 29, 2025Estate & Gift Tax Limits Under the One Big Beautiful Bill
How the One Big Beautiful Bill changes federal estate and gift tax limits — and why Illinois estate tax planning still matters regardless.
December 28, 2025Illinois QTIP & Marital Trusts for Wealth Preservation
How Illinois QTIP elections and marital trusts defer estate tax to the second death while preserving control — a core high-net-worth planning tool.
November 26, 2025How to Keep Your Identity Private With an Illinois LLC
How Illinois business owners can keep their name off the public record using an LLC and land trust structure — and the limits of LLC privacy.
November 23, 202510 Common LLC Mistakes Small Business Owners Must Avoid (and How to Fix Them)
The LLC mistakes that quietly pierce your liability protection — and how Illinois and Missouri business owners can fix them.
October 2, 2025LLC vs. S-Corp in Illinois & Missouri: Which Is Right for Your Business?
LLC or S-corporation? A clear comparison of liability, taxes, and paperwork to help Illinois and Missouri small business owners choose the right entity.
August 25, 2025Legal Red Flags to Watch for in a Letter of Intent (LOI)
The letter of intent sets the terms of a deal before the contract. The red flags business owners should catch in an LOI before signing.
August 24, 2025Business Succession After Connelly: Life Insurance and Buy-Sell Agreements
What the Supreme Court's Connelly decision means for life-insurance-funded buy-sell agreements and business succession planning.
August 6, 2025The Corporate Transparency Act: What Business Owners Need to Know
The Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial ownership reporting — who must file, what's required, and the current state of enforcement.
August 1, 2025Illinois Raises the Small Estate Limit to $150,000: What It Means for Families
Illinois increased its small estate affidavit limit to $150,000. What the change means for families settling an estate without full probate.
July 9, 2025Don't Be Fooled by the "Big Beautiful Bill": Illinois Estate Tax Planning Remains Critical
Federal estate tax changes don't touch Illinois's $4M exclusion. Why Illinois estate tax planning is still essential for high-net-worth families.
July 3, 2025Probate in Illinois: Costs, Process, and What Happens Without a Will
A plain-language guide to Illinois probate — what it costs, how long it takes, and what happens to your estate if you die without a will.
July 1, 2025What Estate Planning Really Costs in the Metro East and St. Louis
A realistic look at estate planning costs for Metro East and St. Louis families — and why the right plan usually saves far more than it costs.
June 28, 2025How Much Are Attorney Fees for Probate in Illinois and Missouri?
What probate attorney fees look like in Illinois and Missouri, how they're set, and how to keep estate settlement costs down.
May 9, 2025What Happens If You Die Without an Estate Plan in Illinois and Missouri?
If you die without a will or trust, state intestacy law decides who inherits. What that means in Illinois and Missouri — and how to take control.
March 27, 2025Power of Attorney vs. Last Will: Understanding the Difference
A power of attorney works while you're alive; a will takes effect when you die. Understanding the difference — and why you need both.
February 18, 2025Using Land Trusts and LLCs for Real Estate Estate Planning
A strategic approach to using Illinois land trusts and LLCs together to hold, protect, and pass down real estate wealth.
January 27, 2025Important Update to Illinois Power of Attorney for Property Requirements
Illinois updated its statutory requirements for powers of attorney for property. What changed and what it means for your existing documents.
October 1, 2024Why Accurate Books Matter for Business Success — and Legal Protection
Accurate books aren't just good accounting — they protect your liability shield and your business's legal standing. Why recordkeeping matters.
October 1, 2024Understanding the Illinois Probate Process: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
A step-by-step walkthrough of the Illinois probate process — from opening the estate to final distribution — in plain language.
Talk through your situation with the firm
A free 15-minute call to see whether your plan fits where Illinois law is today — and what, if anything, to do next.