Law Offices of Robert J. Varak

Many families are surprised to learn that inheriting an IRA is not nearly as simple as it used to be. Americans hold enormous amounts in IRAs and defined contribution plans, and much of that wealth will eventually pass to spouses, children, and other beneficiaries. At the same time, inherited retirement accounts can create major

When creating an estate plan, many people ask whether the same person can both inherit assets and serve as executor. This usually comes up in families where trust is strong and the goal is to keep things simple. In most cases, the answer is yes. However, the choice still deserves careful thought.

As a

One of the most common reasons people give for not having an estate plan is simple: they are too busy.

They know they need to do it. They mean to get to it. They assume they will handle it after the next busy season, after the next deal closes, after the kids settle down, or after business slows down a lit...

Estate planning is often discussed as if everyone has children, or at least obvious next of kin ready to step in. In reality, many individuals and couples without children face a different set of planning challenges. As a Naperville estate planning attorney, I think this is one of the most overlo...