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I have spent the past month going through the Cook County marriage index on Familysearch.org. My parents think I should go out and date more! At any rate, the Cook County marriages are indexed on familysearch, and on Ancestry.com, and on cyberdriveillinois.com up to 1900. Familysearch will allow me to search by groom or bride easily. Or so I thought. I have raved in at least a couple of columns about how you can search for Giuseppe Rossi and find Joseph Russo thanks to new search technologies. I have to amend that slightly. After spending the last month looking for …

This month, I’d like to highlight seven ways to maximize government assistance for nursing home costs. 1) Make sure that you have powerful powers of attorney. A standard power of attorney is weak at best. For example, they do not authorize the transfer of assets in order to qualify for public benefits. The ability to transfer assets to a spouse or caregiver child is an important consideration but must be done with the advice of counsel so as not to incur Medicaid penalties. 2) Know exactly when to apply for Medicaid, Social Security, Medicare, or VA Benefits. If you panic …

Looking back, it’s been a very busy, but pleasurable year. A number of people have stepped up throughout the year and given a boost to the nostalgic adventure that remembering all things Roseland has become. Dan Bovino continues to march forward with his ever improving photographic skills in piecing together the photographic puzzle of our varied Roseland experiences. It never ceases to amaze me that each of us has had such unique experiences in Roseland, but once shared, they conjure up related memories in our own lives. Dan’s many hours dedicated to the Roseland Roundtable represent a truly remarkable gift …

A relationship between a tenant and landlord can be difficult. The truth of the matter, though, is that it can work better if tenants are educated properly upfront, even if it regards tiny details. Our first issue sounds simple and easy, but you would not believe how many people fail to do this. Read your lease prior to signing it. It may seem long and riddled with legal jargon. But within those pages a tenant will learn their responsibilities versus those of the landlord. And be sure to write down any questions and raise those issues with the landlord prior …

phe·nom·e·nal adjective: very remarkable; extraordinary This word comes to mind in describing the fantastic night enjoyed by all the attendees at the annual St. Anthony Alumni Dinner Dance. More than 200 people dined on sumptuous repast and were entertained by the musical stylings of the Dave Berger Quarter. Two St. Anthony classes used the occasion as a reunion: 1974 and 1969. Both were well attended and created a festive atmosphere. Almost everyone got up and walked around, talking to as many people as possible throughout the night. Best wishes for good health go out to Carmella Ryan and Ed. Also …

The Good Faith Estimate (or GFE in my world) offers an estimated cost for the mortgage, as well as the mortgage terms. It’s the document I always send to customers when I quote them a rate. It’s also the one document I recommend they get from other companies if they want to compare rates and costs with my company. The GFE consists of three pages. Page 1 consists of: Date a borrower has to respond by How long the rate is locked for The loan amount The interest rate The term of the mortgage Whether the payment can go up …

There are three phases of planning for your retirement, and each requires different tools. Estate Planning and Long Term Care Planning are ongoing processes that should begin early in a person’s life. Your estate planning documents should adapt in the face of challenges that arise through aging, changes in your financial situation, or changes within your family. As estate planning attorneys, we see three major phases in the estate plan process: the maturing years, the senior years, and the post-death years. Each of these phases has a different focus, and, therefore, requires different documents. In this article, we will guide …

  As the British “invaded” America’s rock ’n roll scene from 1964 to 1967, many American bands emulated the mop-top style of music just to keep up. But when I asked Felix Cavaliere why his Young Rascals really didn’t have that style mixed in with their repertoire, his answer was quite interesting. “If you really look at it, the guys from England were trying to be American,” he said. “The Stones and the Beatles have both said that they were really influenced by American Blues, especially by the hometown boys of the Blues by you in Chicago. They were also …

While attending the recent funeral of Erminia Frigo, I was viewing the photo boards on display when one of the pictures took me by surprise. The photo was of a few people standing across the street from the old St. Anthony’s church in front of Pat & Matt’s newsstand, soda shop and bar. There in the background stood Christi Silvestri. I had not seen or thought about Christi since the 1960s, when I graduated from St. Anthony’s. However, I do remember Christi from my many trips after 9:00 Mass to Pat & Matt’s, where Christi stood out at 6’3” and …

The weather is starting to change and for now you may not be thinking about this — but months pass quickly and you may feel an itch for a vacation home before next summer. Still there are many differences between purchasing a primary residence and a vacation home. One of the most important issues will usually be the cost: Always stay within your budget. This is even more key if this is your first attempt at a second property. I always recommend that a buyer contact a loan officer if they are not paying cash. This will help a buyer …