National Estate Planning Awareness Week is October 20-26
Are you aware that this week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week (NEPAW)? You are now.
In 2008, the 110th Congress passed a resolution designating the third week of October as such. The resolution recognizes the importance of estate planning, encourages the distribution of estate planning information by professionals to all Americans and is sponsored by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC).
Needless to say, we encourage estate planning awareness and education. With that in mind, please have a look around our Estate Planning Information Center and take a look at our most popular posts dealing with estate planning:
- Storage of Original Estate Planning Documents
- Introduction to Estate Planning for Digital Assets
- Pot Trusts: More Equal Than Equal?
- Updating Living Trusts: Amendment vs. Restatement
- The Illinois Intestacy Will: An Unplanned Estate Plan
- 10 Estate Planning Steps to Avoid Family Inheritance Disputes
Americans enjoy almost unlimited testamentary freedom. With very little exception, we are free to direct the disposition of property subject to most any kind of terms and conditions. While some countries (and Louisiana) still have “forced heirship” laws, aside from a surviving spouse’s right to renounce a will, Illinois does not have forced heirship (this might come as a surprise to some children who think inheritance IS an entitlement).
We are also free to make advanced medical decisions and to have those decisions respected. Agents can be appointed to make medical decisions and to handle property transactions on a person’s behalf. Pets can be protected and estate taxes can be minimized. The menu of estate planning options is larger than ever.
For help with creating a new estate plan or dusting off an outdated one, please call us at (847) 991-2250 to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.