A new law takes effect on January 1, 2019, in Illinois, protecting visitation rights for the family members of elderly adults. Before this new law takes effect, guardians have effectively had the unilateral authority over visitation privileges and could prohibit, without recourse, family members and others from visiting with their elderly loved ones in another…
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The Illinois Power of Attorney Act was recently amended. The Act requires an agent to maintain an accounting of everything the agent does with the assets and the funds over which the agent has control, and the new amendment puts some teeth in that requirement. In a previous blog piece, A Word of Warning About…
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In June 2016, we posted an article about the new overtime law that was to take effect on December 1, 2016. In November, 2016, a District Judge in the Eastern District of Texas enjoined (blocked) the expansion of the Overtime Pay Exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposed change would have allowed more…
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In 2003, experts estimate that an estimated 37 million individuals will need some form of long-term care by 2050.[1] According to the AARP, approximately 65% of seniors will need some form of long-term care during their lives;[2] of those, 35% will enter a nursing home at some point.[3] Whether it is home health agencies, nursing homes, assisted…
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When people die leaving debts, other obligations and property and funds to be distributed to the rightful beneficiaries, the default mechanism for handling those things is called probate. Probate is the process of handling the estate of someone who has died. This includes paying all of the debts and final bills, satisfying any lingering obligations,…
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Anyone who is contemplating a divorce, is in the process of obtaining a divorce, or is recently divorced should think about estate planning. If you are still married, your spouse is considered your heir. So, an untimely death before your divorce is finalized will result in your spouse receiving some or all of your estate.…
DetailsRoman Seckel just ended his year as the Chair of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Roman served as director on the Chamber of Commerce Board before he began his stint as Chairman in August of 2017. Roman was in the enviable position of taking the helm of a very vibrant and growing…
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Estate planning is something that is very easy to put off. Most of us do it, sometimes for a very long time. Some of us until it is too late. Estate planning is also something that keeps us awake at night with questions like: What will happen to my children if I die? That question…
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Carolyn Jansons will be putting her municipal law experience to use as a member of the Plan Commission for the Village of Elburn. Carolyn was appointed by Village President, Jeff Walter, to the Elburn Village Plan Commission at the Elburn Village Board Meeting on Monday, June 18, 2018, and the appointment was confirmed with the…
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Beginning January 1, 2018, Illinois Judges have the authority to consider the well-being of pets in a divorce action. In the past, pets and companion animals, unlike service animals, were treated as property in a divorce (like furniture for instance), and rules for dividing property were applied to pets. Pet owners, however, often view their…
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