Estate Planning When Divorced in Chicagoland
Serving Individuals In-Person & Virtually in Illinois & Missouri
Whether due to divorce or death, you are now Single Again.
You may have children and even grandchildren. In any event, you need to create (or revisit) your estate plan.
Did you know the law requires every adult American to make his or her own personal, financial and health care decisions? Now that you are single again, who would make your basic decisions if you are legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness?
Unless you legally appoint the decision-maker of your own selection in advance through proper estate planning, then a probate judge will select one for you. The probate court process to accomplish this is expensive (it employs at least three attorneys), discloses your private personal and financial information to the public record and is a real hassle for your loved ones.
Did you know that in the absence of proper estate planning, your assets may be distributed after death based on “one-size-fits-all” state laws written for people who do not have their own estate plan? Of course, this impersonal estate plan written by state lawmakers may not reflect your own unique circumstances and objectives for your loved ones and assets.
What if you remarry? Well, if you want to risk losing about half of what you have should the remarriage not work out and disinheriting your own children and grandchildren, then do nothing. On the other hand, it is best to go into a new relationship with both eyes open.
In short, you need to have a legally enforceable premarital agreement inked before you say “I do” on your wedding day.
In a recent University of California study, researchers found that 60% of widowers are involved in a new relationship within two years after losing their wives, while only 20% of widows have a new relationship.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, men are 10 times more likely to remarry after age 65. And the average time before they are remarried is just 2.5 years. When dad remarries a new wife some 20 years his junior, that can trigger all kinds of drama in the family, to say the least.
As you can see, planning for being single again includes planning for any new relationships on the future, while preserving (and protecting) the relationships you already have.
Fortunately, we can help you avoid probate and replace that impersonal, state-written, one-size-fits-all estate plan with one we design together for your unique circumstances and objectives. We even help you coordinate the beneficiary designations on your life insurance and retirement plans with your estate plan to avoid unpleasant, unintended consequences.
For help with estate planning when divorced, book a call today.
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Your Estate Planning GuideDiscover the advantages to Illinois and Missouri estate planning and strategies to create your best estate plan. Learn more in this free book, authored by your estate planning guide, Shanise Evans. -
Register for an Event or Inquire about a Speaking EngagementShanise has a true passion for educating and serving her community on the value of wealth generation and the importance of leaving a legacy for the efficient and meaningful transfer of that wealth, she is available for speaking engagements and has routinely presented before various professional and community organizations.
