What is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)? A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is a specific form of trust that is created to more easily qualify an individual to receive Medicaid long-term care coverage. An individual who needs long-term care may transfer his/her assets into the MAPT and those assets will not disqualify the... Read more »
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) provides a powerful shield against aggressive debt collection tactics. The Act sets out requirements for debt collectors when attempting to collect a debt, and violating these requirements may give rise to a claim under the FDCPA. The FDCPA also provides protection in certain foreclosure matters and can play... Read more »
The Internet and social media hold your essential documents and information, digital property, and cherished memories. If you keep important documents and memories on the “cloud” or on Internet platforms, these items could be lost if they are not accounted for in your estate plan. Some websites will delete your account after a certain length... Read more »
Going through a divorce can be a difficult and emotional process for everyone involved, especially for children. A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child in a divorce case. In this article, we will discuss the role of a GAL in a... Read more »
The issue of adult guardianship turns on whether a person with a disability (“PWD”) is able to make and communicate responsible decisions about aspects of everyday life. The Illinois Probate Code defines “persons with a disability” as an individual 18 years or older who is not able to fully manage their person or estate... Read more »
When a homeowner defaults on their mortgage, meaning they fail to make their mortgage payments, the lender may initiate a foreclosure action against the homeowner. Many times, a homeowner misses mortgage payments due to unexpected financial struggles, such as a loss of job, divorce, unexpected medical expenses, or a death in the family. Foreclosure can... Read more »
Starting your own business can be a rewarding, yet daunting, task. It will take passion and perseverance in order to ensure your business will thrive. Before a business is permitted to operate, it must be recognized under the law which occurs only after proper formation. Steps to form a business vary depending on the... Read more »
The Illinois Safe-T Act (Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act), also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, is a statute that introduces significant reforms to various areas of the criminal justice system. One of the most significant changes made by the Safe-T Act include the elimination of cash bail in Illinois, the first state... Read more »
Going through a divorce can be a difficult and emotional process for everyone involved, especially for children. A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child in a divorce case. In this article, we will discuss the role of a GAL in a... Read more »
A Living Trust is a legal document that is created during a person’s lifetime and is used to manage their assets and property after they pass away. One of the main benefits of a Living Trust is that it allows for the distribution of assets to beneficiaries without the need for probate court. However,... Read more »