Law Office of Stephanie Macuiba

01/25/2024

New legislation is proposed to deposit POLST forms in a central database. Many people don't know that estate planning documents like powers of attorney and trusts are not recorded with any central agency during your lifetime.

Advance Directive Registry
SB 2644
(Morrison, D-Deerfield) requires the Secretary of State to create an electronic registry, known as the Advance Directive Registry, through which Illinois residents may deposit a Department of Public Health Uniform Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. Provides that information in the Registry is to be made available to hospitals and they may rely on the information obtained from it. Further provides that the Secretary of State and SOS employees, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, are immune from civil and criminal liability related to creating or maintaining the Registry. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

01/17/2024

Kid already head back after winter break? No problem. All documents can be remotely executed in Illinois with zoom.

01/15/2024

Great round up of estate planning blunders.

Have you managed to avoid the eight most common estate planning mistakes? Your family will thank you.

12/21/2023

Starting January 1, 2024 most small businesses will have to report information regarding their beneficial owners under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Small businesses will need to report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The CTA aims at updating and modernizing the mechanisms to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and organized crime related financial crimes.

Starting January 1, 2024 most small businesses will have to report information regarding their beneficial owners. Small businesses will need to report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The passage of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) aims at updating and modernizing the mechan

10/31/2023

What happens when you elect to donate your body to science?

Listen to this episode from The Economics of Everyday Things on Spotify. In the first of two episodes, Zachary Crockett digs into the strange and discomfiting history of cadavers, and the industry that has emerged around them. RESOURCES:"From Grave Robbing to Giving Your Own Body to Science – A Sh...

09/25/2023

Good listen if you want to talk to your parents about their finances and estate plan.

Listen to this episode from Life Kit on Spotify. For many families, there comes a time when it's the kid's turn to take care of their parents. But caretaking is expensive and draining. Make it easier on yourself by talking to your parents ahead of time about their finances, their long-term care plan...

08/21/2023

This was a wonderful clinic to work at in law school. Glad it can help more local residents.

A recent Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) grant will allow Southern Illinois University School of Law’s Civil Practice Clinic to expand its basic estate planning and other civil law services to veterans and their immediate families.

07/12/2023

Friendly reminder about keeping your estate planning documents organized and to destroy outdated versions. Also, handwritten wills without witnesses are not accepted in all states.

Multiple handwritten wills were found in Franklin's home in 2019. Two of Franklin's sons would like a 2014 will to be honored and are up against their brother, who wanted to uphold a 2010 will.

04/25/2023

Free class on Thursday. Walk ins welcome and I won’t keep you too long.

Foundations of Estate Planning - Free 🏡

The Foundations of Estate Planning will demystify the estate planning process. The class will cover common planning techniques and the documents used including Wills and Probate, Transfer on Death Instruments, Trusts, Powers of Attorney for Healthcare & Financial Matters. Class attendees will take away the information needed to make decisions about their own estate plan. Workshops taught by local attorney Stephanie Macuiba. The virtual class will have an additional focus on planning for your minor children including guardianship nominations and trusts for minors.

Location: Arrowhead Community Center
Date: Thursday April 27
Time: 6PM

Registration: https://channahonpark.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs?leaguesid=6253&teamsid=28536

04/24/2023

These are just a few misconceptions I hear from clients. Like all myths these are rooted in some truth but have been the victim of a game of telephone.