The Missing Piece in Your Estate Plan: What Happens to Your Digital Life?

Estate planning is no longer just about homes, bank accounts, and retirement funds. In today’s digital world, many individuals have valuable assets stored online, yet few have a plan in place to manage them after they pass.

What Happens If You Don’t Name a Guardian?

If you and your child’s other parent were to pass away or become unable to care for them, the court, not your family, will determine who raises your children. This process can be complicated and stressful for loved ones, and the outcome may not reflect what you would have wanted.

Let's Talk About Inherited Retirement Accounts & Required Minimum Distributions in Illinois

Hey there, if you’ve inherited a retirement account recently, you might be wondering what’s next. The rules around Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) have changed, and if you’re in Illinois, you’ll want to be aware of what’s coming in January 2025.

We are excited to introduce the newest Russo Law Offices team member, Francesca Siracusano! As an estate planning and probate attorney, Francesca is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of planning for the future, managing estates, and handling probate court matters. Her passion for providing legal guidance stems from a deep desire to help families protect their assets and secure their legacies for future generations.

As an estate planning attorney with years of experience guiding families through the complexities of wealth transfer, one of the most powerful tools available to ensure your legacy is preserved and distributed according to your wishes is a trust.

I’ve seen firsthand how proper planning can create lasting security—and how the lack of it can lead to unintended consequences.

Unlike a simple will, a trust allows you to control how and when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance, offering protection from financial mismanagement, outside influences, and life’s uncertainties. If you want to safeguard your wealth while empowering your loved ones, a trust is the best way to achieve both.

If estate planning has been sitting on your to-do list for far too long, you're not alone. Many people put it off, believing they don’t have the time or feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of it all. But the truth is, without a plan in place, your loved ones could face unnecessary stress, confusion, and financial burdens in the future.

In a world that’s constantly changing, having a trust in place offers peace of mind and security for your loved ones. But is your trust truly prepared to protect your family and assets against the unexpected?

Many people create a trust and then set it aside, assuming it will work seamlessly forever. However, the reality is that life changes—and so should your trust.

Take Action This Year

The start of a new year is the perfect time to tackle important tasks like estate planning. At Russo Law Offices, we specialize in making the process straightforward and stress-free. Whether you’re creating an estate plan for the first time or need to update an existing one, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Imagine this: Your family is gathered in a quiet room. Emotions are running high as you’re about to hear the last wishes of a loved one.

There’s a mix of curiosity, anticipation, and maybe even tension.

What exactly did they leave behind?

How will it be divided?

When planning for your family’s future, one of the most important—and sometimes challenging—decisions you can make is choosing a guardian for your children. As parents, we never want to think about the possibility of being unable to care for our kids, but preparing for the unexpected is one of the most responsible things we can do for them. That’s why discussing guardianship with your family, especially during holiday visits, can be an invaluable step in ensuring everyone is on the same page.