Hess Law Blog

The success of a will contest depends largely on the circumstances of each case. If you're considering challenging the validity of a will, it's important to know what factors could lead to invalidating it and what steps you can take. Read More

Resolving an apparent conflict between Illinois’ Limited Liability Company Act (the “LLC Act”) and a body of case law governing piercing the corporate veil of corporations, the Fourth District Appellate Court recently upheld a trial court’s r… Read More

After more than 4 years of litigation, Matthew Hess recently obtained summary judgment on behalf of a woman who was being sued by the two sons of her close family friend, after the friend designated her as the beneficiary on a 401(k) account in place… Read More

Your last will and testament is one of the most important documents you will ever execute. But while you might think you have a will in place that satisfies your objectives, this may not be the case. There are a number of formalities that must be com… Read More

Being the personal representative or executor of a loved one’s estate comes with a significant amount of responsibility. Some of the essential duties that must be performed are related to dealing with the decedent’s creditors. Not only must poten… Read More

When an estate goes through the probate process in Illinois, an executor or administrator has the responsibility to accurately identify and report the property and assets that comprise it. However, their job can often become more difficult if a wrong… Read More

A fiduciary relationship is one in which a party owes the other certain obligations based on a high level of trust. While fiduciary duties often arise in business relationships, they are also an inherent part of the estate administration process. Imp… Read More

The basic types of power of attorney allow an individual to appoint another person to make important decisions for you if you are unable to do so because of illness or disability. These agreements are created under Illinois law and must meet specific… Read More