No matter how reluctant we all are to admit it, most of us are fascinated with celebrities – especially when that celebrity is of the caliber of Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul offers us all yet another lesson in the importance of estate planning by passing away without even a Last Will and Testament in place. Her estate highlights many of the reasons why dying intestate should be avoided. The Queen of Soul Is Gone Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018 after years of battling pancreatic cancer.  The Queen of Soul was surrounded by family and friends at [Read more…]

You have undoubtedly been told by well-meaning friends and family member how important it is to execute a Last Will and Testament. Unless you understand why that is so important, however, you may lack sufficient motivation to get started on your Will. Knowing what happens if you die without a Will in the State of Illinois should prompt you to get started on your estate plan today. What Is a Last Will and Testament? A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that allows the Testator (the person creating the Will) to communicate his/her final wishes with regard to [Read more…]

Surveys tell us that the vast majority of Americans understand the need for estate planning. Despite this, over half of all Americans do not have an estate plan in place.  People offer a variety of explanations for their apparent procrastination, including the belief that they don’t need an estate plan yet and not have the time and/or money to devote to creating a plan. Sometimes, the best way to convince someone that they need to do something is to explain what happens if they don’t do it.  With that in mind, the estate planning attorneys at Hedeker Law Ltd. explain [Read more…]

You have probably listened to well-meaning friends and family members tell you how important it is for you to have at least a basic estate plan in place. If you are like over half of all Americans, you have yet to create a plan despite listening to their well-intentioned advice. Sometimes, the best way to impress upon someone the importance of doing something is to explain what will happen if they don’t do it.  With that in mind, the Lincolnshire probate attorneys at Hedeker Law, Ltd. explains what happens to an estate if there is no Last Will and Testament. [Read more…]