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On behalf of Jill Metz For gay and lesbian couples who choose not to marry pursuant to the Illinois Marriage Fairness Act or enter a civil union under the Illinois Civil Union Act, an attorney can work with them to establish obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits similar to those of married same-sex couples. An attorney can also help those couples dissolve or modify those same obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits should that become necessary. Forming relationships One way an attorney can help unmarried same-sex couples is through using the law to create ways in which your relationship is recognized and honored. This can... Read More

On behalf of Jill Metz After the ruling issued on June 26, 2015, by the U.S. Supreme Court, marriage for gay and lesbian couples is now a possibility in all 50 states. Although Illinois has had marriage equality since 2014, the Court’s ruling in the marriage equality case Obergefell v Hodges has made marriage for same-sex couples a fundamental right guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. So, now that you can get married, what do you need to do about estate planning? First, you still need to do your estate planning. At the time of your spouse’s... Read More

On behalf of Jill Metz Legal and financial tools can help families plan for Alzheimer’s, dementia, and the need for long-term care. Alzheimer’s and dementia are terrifying diseases. Upon diagnosis, numerous fears present themselves, among them issues of estate planning. People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia fear that they will become a burden on loved ones, not be able to make medical decisions on their own behalf, and that they may become susceptible to financial fraud. Estate planning after a diagnosis is not impossible, but there are issues to consider when entering into this process to ensure that your... Read More

A MESSAGE FROM JILL METZ 2013 was an amazing year in the law for inclusiveness and equality. This year the constitutional framework of our country was reinforced and strengthened with the overturn of the Defense of Marriage Act and one state after another, including Illinois, recognizing same-sex marriages. After my 35 years in the law, I find myself greatly moved by the transformation brought about by the US Supreme Court in the Winsor case that hate and inequality will not be condoned by the federal government. With state after state providing for marriage equality and more states consistently joining the... Read More