Jonathan Cole - Law Office of Jonathan W. Cole

When Does a “Right of First Refusal” Become an Option? Lessons from In re Estate of Case, 2024 IL App (5th) 230152

by Jonathan Cole | Nov 25, 2025 | Uncategorized

Estate plans often include gifts of farmland, rental properties, or family homes — and sometimes, they include special rights for long-time tenants or family members to purchase that property. But as an important 2024 Illinois appellate case reminds us, the exact...

When Is Someone a “Putative Spouse” in Illinois? Lessons from In re Estate of McDonald (2024)

by Jonathan Cole | Nov 24, 2025 | Uncategorized

By the Law Office of Jonathan W. Cole P.C. — Your Neighborhood Law Firm When a loved one passes away, questions about who is entitled to inherit can become emotionally—and legally—complicated. One of the most confusing situations arises when someone believes they were...

Lessons from Estate of Dukes (2025): What Illinois Families Can Learn About Executor Duties and Probate Disputes

by Jonathan Cole | Nov 20, 2025 | Uncategorized

When a loved one passes away, emotions run high — and disagreements over how to handle the estate can make a difficult time even more stressful. A recent Illinois appellate case, In re Estate of Grace M. Dukes (2025), offers important reminders for families,...

TODI vs. Revocable Living Trust: Which One Is Right for Your Illinois Estate Plan?

by Jonathan Cole | Nov 19, 2025 | Uncategorized

When you start planning your estate in Illinois, one of the first decisions you’ll face is how you want your home and real estate to transfer after you’re gone. For many families, that decision comes down to two common tools: The Illinois Transfer on Death Instrument...

When Guardianship and Parental Rights Collide: What Illinois Families Can Learn from In re M.S. (2025

by Jonathan Cole | Nov 12, 2025 | Uncategorized

When a child’s parents are unable to provide care, Illinois law allows the courts to appoint a guardian — someone who steps in to make important decisions for the child. But what happens when a biological parent wants to regain custody, and the court doesn’t give them...

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When Does a “Right of First Refusal” Become an Option? Lessons from In re Estate of Case, 2024 IL App (5th) 230152

When Is Someone a “Putative Spouse” in Illinois? Lessons from In re Estate of McDonald (2024)

Lessons from Estate of Dukes (2025): What Illinois Families Can Learn About Executor Duties and Probate Disputes

TODI vs. Revocable Living Trust: Which One Is Right for Your Illinois Estate Plan?

When Guardianship and Parental Rights Collide: What Illinois Families Can Learn from In re M.S. (2025

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When Does a “Right of First Refusal” Become an Option? Lessons from In re Estate of Case, 2024 IL App (5th) 230152

When Is Someone a “Putative Spouse” in Illinois? Lessons from In re Estate of McDonald (2024)

Lessons from Estate of Dukes (2025): What Illinois Families Can Learn About Executor Duties and Probate Disputes

TODI vs. Revocable Living Trust: Which One Is Right for Your Illinois Estate Plan?

When Guardianship and Parental Rights Collide: What Illinois Families Can Learn from In re M.S. (2025

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