by Jonathan Cole | Dec 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
When a loved one begins struggling with memory loss, mental health challenges, or the everyday responsibilities of managing their finances, families often wonder:“Do we need guardianship?”Or is a Power of Attorney enough? In Illinois, these two tools serve very...
by Jonathan Cole | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
What Is HB 3207? HB 3207 is a bill introduced in 2025 that seeks to amend the Probate Act of 1975. If passed, the bill would raise the maximum value for estates eligible for simplified handling — either via the “summary administration” procedure or a “small estate...
by Jonathan Cole | Dec 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
For many Illinois families, caring for an aging parent comes with an overwhelming challenge: How do we pay for the care they need?Assisted living facilities in Illinois often cost $5,000–$8,000 per month, making them out of reach for many middle-income...
by Jonathan Cole | Dec 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
Blended families are incredibly common in Illinois—second marriages, stepchildren, children from prior relationships, and households that look different from the traditional “nuclear” family. While these families are full of love, they also introduce unique legal...
by Jonathan Cole | Dec 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Your Online Life Needs an Estate Plan Too We plan for our homes, bank accounts, cars, and personal belongings — but what about the parts of our lives that exist only online?Today, most Illinois residents have hundreds of digital assets without realizing it, including:...
by Jonathan Cole | Dec 3, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Hidden Risks Illinois Families Don’t Know About Many Illinois parents believe that adding an adult child to the deed of their home is a simple way to “avoid probate” or “make things easier.” It sounds appealing — one form, one signature, and the house...
by Jonathan Cole | Dec 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
📝 Tougher travel and border-exit/entry procedures As of December 26, 2025, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — will begin mandatory biometric screening (including photographs and fingerprint/...
by Jonathan Cole | Dec 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
Law Office of Jonathan W. Cole P.C. — Your Neighborhood Law Firm The holiday season is about family, gratitude, and creating memories that last a lifetime. But there’s one gift many Illinois families overlook — and it’s the one that brings the most peace, security,...
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...
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...
