By: Jacob E. Gancarczyk A Crest Hill man killed his wife, a mother of three children from a prior marriage. Following the tragic event the family hired the law firm of Spesia & Taylor to assist the family in handling legal matters as a result of her death. Within days following the murder, attorneys John Spesia, Brad McCann, and Jacob Gancarczyk contacted the victim’s pension plan, life insurance, and banks, successfully freezing assets ... Read More
Appointing a standby guardian for the estate of disabled adult children
Parents often serve as the Guardian of the Estate and Person for their disabled adult children. As the parents get older, they often contemplate who will serve as their successor Guardian for the disabled adult child. Often, the parents have other children who can serve, but sometimes, the parents do not have that “go to” person whom they can identify. A Guardian of the Estate and/or the Guardian of the Person can nominate a Standby Guardian ... Read More
Risk and Reward: Using Legal Forms Without an Attorney
The number of legal forms available on the internet has grown significantly in the past few years, and as a result more and more people are beginning to use them without fully understanding their force and effect. While many people may not realize it, there are risks associated with using these forms without the benefit of an attorney’s assistance. Estate Planning When our attorneys meet with clients and potential clients to discuss and prepare ... Read More
Another Estate Plan Tools To Avoid Probate: Transfer On Death Instrument For Residential Real Estate
The Illinois Residential Real Property Transfer Act (755 ILCS 27/1, et seq.) (the “Act”) allows an owner, or co-owners, to transfer Illinois residential real estate to one or more designated beneficiaries at the death of the owner, or, if there are more than one owner, at the death of the surviving owner. This post-death transfer is done by preparing and recording a Transfer on Death Instrument (“TOD Instrument”) during the owner's life. A TOD ... Read More
Clients’ Trust Distributes Almost $2 Million to Local and National Charities
Acting as Trustee for his Clients’ Trust, Partner Chris Spesia has distributed almost $2 million to local and national charities. Like many Joliet area residents, the Clients lived a life of hard work and good stewardship. In their later years, the Clients relied on the guidance of Spesia & Taylor’s now-deceased Senior Partner, Douglas Spesia, to craft their Estate Plan. Douglas Spesia recognized that the Clients, who did not have children, ... Read More
