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To all front-line and “essential” workers: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your hard work—day in and day out (and often evenings, nights, and weekends). You tirelessly give of yourself to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Whether you are caring for t...

Coronavirus has been all over the news—and with good reason. For some people, it can turn into a serious illness, if contracted. Thankfully, for the great majority of people who have contracted the disease, the symptoms appear to be relatively mild. Nevertheless, it is crucial for everyone to c...

In a matter of weeks, the COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) pandemic has impacted the world and forced communities to re-evaluate everything. Here in Illinois, we have been under an Executive Order signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to stay at home beginning at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2...

Estate planning for couples in a second or subsequent marriage can be tricky, especially if their estates are disproportionate. One solution for allowing the “well-to-do” spouse to maintain control of their property and wealth--and keep their other spouse happy--is the “Lifetime QTIP Trust.”   ...

Identity theft. It's a daily reality for many people and a fear that the majority of us living with on a daily basis!  But identity theft is the last thing a grieving family should have to worry about after the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, identity thieves have increasingly targeted ...

You and your spouse live together; you work together; and, chances are, you spend a lot of your free time together. Having a successful marriage and business takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it can also be among the most rewarding things in life. Just ask my husband and me! We have b...

Real estate is more than just your primary residence. It can include other real estate, such as a vacation home or a rental property. Depending upon the type of real estate you own, the ideal form of ownership can vary. Plus, real estate is probably one of your most valuable assets.  That's why...

The holidays are over, the kids are back in school after winter break, and snow is in the air! This is a perfect time to take a deep breath and spend some time taking care of yourself.  Everyone needs to take steps to relax and minimize the effects of life's everyday stresses. It is surpris...

About 30 years ago, the Internet was developed. Since that time, many changes have occurred with the Internet and “the cloud”. Information is instantaneously available to Internet users and most people utilize their mobile phones to access the Internet multiple times a day! Additionally, many s...

Yikes! Tax season is upon us. Depending on your entity type, the filing deadline for your business income tax return is either March 16th (March 15th falls on a Sunday in 2020) or April 15th. So now is a great time to organize all the documentation you need to back up the income, deductions, an...

On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. It will have a positive impact for many older A...

Welcome to 2020! It is not only the start of a new year, but it is also the beginning of a new decade. As you age, it feels like the years start to fly by!  With the passage of each year , we seem to have more tasks, events, commitments, obligations, etc. than ever before. Are you feeling bogg...

With the start of a new year, many people “resolve” to start their own business or to provide products and services as a second or “side” job that result as additional compensation to them. However, most of the time, these individuals fail to consider or understand the risks to their personal a...

August 26th is National Dog Day!  As such, I am reposting this blog as a reminder to include your pets in your estate plan! A lot of us have pets that we care for on a daily basis. While we love them (even with their faults), the majority of American families fail to adequately plan for the...

With summer drawing to an end once again, it is time for children to return to school. Some will go back to the same school they have attended in the past while some will start a new school. For those children that are leaving for college – whether for the first time or as a returning student – t...