If you've ever lost a loved one and then had to fight a bank to release their checking account, you already know that "probate" can feel like a dirty word. It's slow. It's expensive. And it often shows up at the exact moment your family has the least bandwidth to deal with it. The good news: Illinois has made it a lot easier for more families to skip that process entirely. The Small Estate Affidavit, In Plain English Illinois law has long allowed heirs to collect a deceased p

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the identities, contributions, and history of people with disabilities. It commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990, and it invites all of us to think about what true inclusion looks like: not just in public spaces and workplaces, but in the deeply personal work of planning for the future. At Mertzenich Law, we believe estate planning is one of the most powerful tools of self-determination

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the love, care, and strength of mothers in all their forms. For same-sex female couples and families with two or more mothers, this day is especially meaningful. It's a celebration of the unique bonds and shared journeys that define motherhood. As we honor these incredible families, it’s also a perfect moment to reflect on how to protect what matters most: your loved ones and your legacy. Estate planning is a vital tool for ensuring that yo

Estate planning is a deeply personal process, and for practitioners of Pagan, Wiccan, and earth-based spiritualities, it offers a unique opportunity to align your legal and financial legacy with your spiritual values. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, estate planning can also provide critical protections for loved ones, particularly in cases where legal recognition of relationships or identities may be limited. This blog post explores how to incorporate Pagan and Wiccan va

Family is not always found in the place you were born into. Sometimes, often the best times, it's built. It's the friends who showed up when your biological family didn't. The chosen sister who held your hand through heartbreak and celebration. The community that became your anchor before the law recognized your relationship, your identity, or your right to exist exactly as you are. For LGBTQ+ individuals especially, chosen family isn't a sentimental concept. It is survival i

Estate planning is an act of self-love. For transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, it is also an act of self-determination that says, unequivocally: “This is who I am, and this is who I will always be.” Whether you have already legally changed your name and gender marker, are in the process of doing so, or are simply living your truth without the paperwork to match, estate planning is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect your identity, your relationsh

Art Credit: Kendrick Daye for The Marsha P Johnson Institute, created from a photo of Marsha taken by Hank O'Neal at the 1977 NYC Pride March. Article Citation: "About Marsha P. Johnson." The Marsha P. Johnson Institute. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. It was not their first raid. It would not have been their last, except that night, something shifted. Marsha P. Johnson was there. A Black

Estate planning is deeply personal, and for polyamorous families, it requires careful thought and intentional legal strategy. While the law hasn't caught up to the beautiful diversity of modern family structures, there are powerful tools available to ensure everyone you love is protected and your wishes are honored. Why Estate Planning Matters for Polycules Traditional estate planning assumes a nuclear family model—one spouse, biological children, and clear legal relationship

As a queer parent in Illinois, you've likely already navigated complex legal terrain to build your family. Whether you became parents through adoption, surrogacy, assisted reproduction, or a previous relationship, ensuring your children's legal protection remains paramount. While Illinois has made significant strides in LGBTQIA+ family law, understanding guardianship options can provide additional security for your family's future. Why Guardianship Matters for Queer Families

You've probably heard the warning: "What you post on the internet stays forever." But what happens to your digital life after you die? If you're like most people under 40, you probably have cryptocurrency wallets, streaming subscriptions, social media accounts with years of memories, cloud storage full of photos, and maybe even an online business or digital investments. The real question isn't whether your digital footprint lasts forever; it's whether the people you care abou

When you're facing a medical emergency, the last thing you want is for your chosen family to be turned away at the hospital door, or for medical decisions to fall into the hands of estranged relatives who don't understand or respect your identity and relationships. For LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Illinois-Wisconsin Stateline region, robust healthcare directives aren't just good planning—they're essential protection. Why Healthcare Directives Matter Even More for LGBTQIA+ Peop

If you're a solo practitioner or work in a small law firm in Illinois, here's an uncomfortable question: What would happen to your clients if you were suddenly unable to practice tomorrow? Most attorneys spend their careers protecting their clients' interests. But many haven't taken the essential step of protecting those same clients from the consequences of their own death or disability. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission is clear: succession plan

As we settle into 2026, many of us are focused on New Year's resolutions: losing weight, saving money, or finally organizing that cluttered garage. But there's one resolution that often gets overlooked, despite its critical importance: getting your estate plan in order. Whether you're just starting to think about estate planning or you created documents years ago that are gathering dust, 2026 is an ideal time to take action. Here are five essential estate planning goals to pr

Planning for the future is essential, but concerns about the costs of estate planning can often be a barrier. At Mertzenich Law, also...

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially when you encounter complex legal jargon. But don’t worry—we’re here to simplify it!...

Illinois is a state known for its rich culture, diverse communities, and vibrant nonprofit sector. Whether you're supporting local food...

With the recent shift toward a more conservative administration in the United States, many LGBTQ+ individuals are understandably...

Estate planning can be complex, especially when you have assets or family members in different states. If you live in Illinois or...

In the realm of personal and financial management, a Power of Attorney (POA) for property is a crucial legal tool that can offer peace of...

If you reside in Illinois, the process for legally changing your name is relatively simple, but detail-oriented. Here’s an overview to...