Our Estate Planning Blog
Congress enacted the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025, and it reshaped the 2026 planning landscape. The most important takeaway is this:
Most people spend a lot of time planning for the financial side of retirement. However, once retired, there are a few estate planning tasks to do. Your life has likely changed since the first time your estate plan was done, says the article “5 Estate Planning Changes To Make After Retirement” from Go Banking Rates. Get ready for the next phase of your life with an update to your estate plan. This is especially true with the SECURE 2.0 Act measures coming into effect this year. Retirees need to address new rules regarding catch-up contributions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), Roth…
The new tax law reshapes Roth conversion planning, with updated deductions and income rules that could work for—or against—you. Now is the time to review your strategy with your estate planning and tax advisors.
Families often assume that because their adult children get along, have good judgment, and respect one another, they will simply “figure things out” after their parents pass away. Unfortunately, this belief can lead to unnecessary conflict, financial imbalance, and legal problems—especially when a family business or farm is involved. As a will and trust lawyer in Naperville, I routinely see the consequences of failing to put a formal plan in place.
If you own anything—a home, a car, a savings account, even a pet—you already have an estate plan. The only question is: Did you create it, or will your state do it for you?
Lawmakers continue to debate whether to raise the Social Security retirement age as part of long-term funding reforms. While no final decisions have been made, the potential impact is significant. For individuals and families planning their financial future, these changes could affect lifetime benefits, retirement strategies, and estate planning decisions.
As an estate planning attorney, I regularly help clients in Naperville and the surrounding Illinois communities understand how these developments may influence their long-term plans.
Thousands of Americans have unclaimed retirement funds sitting in dormant accounts they’re unaware of. Learn how to find your own missing retirement benefits.
The OBBBA brings several taxpayer-friendly provisions into law, including raising the estate and gift tax exemption, a temporary increase to the cap on SALT deductions and enhancements to the QSBS rules.
Talking to your kids about money is important for your plan and for theirs.
changing states for retirement for tax savings may seem like a sound financial move, but the full picture often reveals otherwise. Housing costs, insurance premiums, property taxes, and even estate taxes can offset or outweigh the benefits. If you’re a Naperville resident considering retirement out of state, talk with a qualified Naperville estate planning attorney before making a decision.