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September 21, 2020

Our Annual Highlights & Horizons Is Out!

2019-20 Highlights & Horizons - The Law Offices of Max Elliott on Biteable.
Recent News
September 21, 2020

The New Illinois Trust Code as of 1/1/20

On July 12, 2019, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed into law the Illinois Trust Code. On January 1, 2020, the current Illinois Trust and Trustees act was completely repealed and replaced…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

SECURE Act Upends Trust and Retirement Planning

On December 20, 2019, the current U.S. administration passed the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act, effective January 1, 2020. The law provides needed breathing space for…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

School’s Back In Session

Summer has ended for most families with children and we thought about this and other family dynamics in our most recent newsletter. However, the summer didn't stop Illinois Governor Pritzker…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Celebrating PRIDE

Though small efforts may pick at the corners of diversity, our firm continues to stand proud and strong with our LGBTQ community members and are pleased that the jurisdictions we…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

National Small Business Week: Smallbiz by the Numbers

Join us in celebrating National Small Business week! Most of U.S. businesses - 99%! - are classified as small, which means you know a smallbiz owner if you’re not one…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

in praise of service…

This year our firm was honored by being selected as the exclusive estate planning legal service provider for personnel of Chicago's Veterans Administration Hospital. It is our privilege to serve…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

2018 Highlights!

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, federal estate tax exemption doubled, standard deduction increased, owning a smallbiz is more complex GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), 92% of U.S. businesses are subject…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

2016 About All of Those Emails…

On May 25, 2018, you may have received a ton of emails about services changing their privacy policies, including one from us. It was for good reason; we've international clients.…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Our First Annual Report Card!

Recently, we emailed previous and current clients a satisfaction survey for them to answer anonymously. Our marks are in: :: Compared with comparable law firms across the country, we scored…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

The Tax Act Passed…Now What?

On December 22, 2017, the current U.S. Administration enacted one of the most sweeping changes in the United States Tax Code since 1986. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

NATIONAL ESTATE PLANNING AWARENESS WEEK (10/15-21/2017)

This year for National Estate Planning Awareness Week, our office thought to share some basics on Estate Planning via the Estate Planning Alphabet. We started with the following: AGENT –…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Rolling Back Marriage Equality and Reproductive Rights?

On October 6, the U.S. DOJ issued a "Religious Freedom" guidance memo that undermines certain rights that have been deemed constitutional - marriage equality and reproductive rights - using the…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

FROM MANHATTAN WITH LOVE!

Lawline, a leader in online legal education, recently filmed Max Elliott in their studio in New York City. The filming, a 90-minute CLE on family-owned business planning, was broadcast live.…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

WHAT A YEAR FOR SUPER LAWYERS®! | THE CHARITABLE GIVING AROUND TOWN BOOMS

On a semi-personal note So no, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the email late last fall stating that I, Max Elliott, had been recognized as a 2017…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

CHARITABLE GIVING BOOMS

In addition to our regular pro bono activities, our office was fortunate enough to participate in two of the dozens of fundraising efforts that took place during this giving cycle.…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

FACTOID #3: Property Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney of property involves more than just real estate. It includes all assets held by the Principal, like real estate, bank accounts, and stocks. The Principal delegates…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

FACTOID #2: Healthcare Powers of Attorney

A healthcare power of attorney (HCPA) allows you to designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. This trusted individual can communicate with your providers and make decisions about…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

FACTOID #1: Exactly What Is Estate Planning?

And why is it necessary? Listen here.
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Cast Your Ballot

Unless you've been under a cave in France for the last year, you know it's election time. Be sure you're registered to vote, try to register early, and try to…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

What Happens When a Scammer Contacts a Tenacious Lawyer

The summer scam surge is on! People, like Attorney Max Elliott, are receiving calls from people impersonating IRS agents in hopes of luring unknowing targets to send them money for…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Revised Uniform Fiduciaries Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA)

Illinois has passed the Revised Uniform Fiduciaries Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which allows fiduciaries to access,and under certain circumstances, control the digital assets of persons who are incapacitated…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Subprime service providers

Subprime service providers still targeting vulnerable homeowners but the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Attorney General has provided a remedy for victims of loan modification scams. Read more...
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Illinois legislature is considering a new bill

Illinois legislature is considering a new bill that would allow parents to delegate certain powers and custody of children for less than a year or more for a service member.…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Our 2015-16 Highlights and Horizons Is OUT!

Click here to catch up last year's relevant news and find out about what's on our firm's horizon!
Recent News
September 21, 2020

To Transfer or Not to Transfer, That Is the Question, Maybe…

As discussed in our blog, The Shark Free Zone, in September 2015 an Illinois Appellate Court ruled, in The Estate of Mendelson v. Mendelson, that real estate that is subject…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

2 Interesting Cases Before the Court Recently

You can listen to the arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges and the third party commotion here. In Tibble v. Edison, the Supreme Court of the United States, aka SCOTUS, ruled…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Wrigley Woes

Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, had thousands and maybe millions of fans, so one might think he was amazingly wealthy and his estate was in order. However, that wasn't necessarily the…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

MARRIAGE EQUALITY March Heads to U.S. Supreme Court Again!

The hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2015 and this time, the justices may just determine to end the continued discrimination against same-gender couples in the 14 states that refuse…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

First-time home buyers celebrate and save.

On January 26, the FHA provided reduced premiums for mortgage insurance on 30-year loans. The amount of the decrease will depend on whether the down payment was more or less…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

HAPPY 2015!

Illinois' New Year brings a host of new laws affecting individuals and families across the state. We reported on a few earlier, which you can if you scroll further down.…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Unlike Frankenstein, This Legislative Change Is Real

On September 24, 2014, Illinois enacted changes to its Power of Attorney Act to “simplify” the healthcare power of attorney form. Estate planning attorneys have been watching this legislation wind…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

The Revised Small Estate Affidavit Still Helps Avoid Probate But Be Careful

The Small Estate Affidavit (SEA) was amended and went into effect on August 1, 2014. The SEA's purpose is to help heirs and beneficiaries of small estates - less than…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

State Retirees’ Health Insurance Premiums Safe…for Now

On July 3, in Kanerva v. Weems, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of State’s retirees. The state challenged a 1992 amendment to the State Employees Group Insurance Act,…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Paying the Price Twice for Long-Term “Care”

Most of us enjoy the benefit of the work, knowledge, and care provided by the generations who came before us. Yet, as the Silver Tsunami strikes, many in those generations…
Recent News
September 21, 2020

Balancing Your Checkbook Logically May Cost You

Pew Charitable Trusts recently released a report covering the consumer practices of many of the largest retail banks. The report showed that 50% of the banks don't allocate deposits the…