If you have yet to create an estate plan, there is no time like the present to get your plan started with the help of the estate planning attorneys at Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP. After all, a well thought out estate plan can accomplish much more than simply creating a framework for the division of your estate assets upon your death. If you are a resident of Mercer County, Illinois, we would be honored to be chosen to help you create an estate plan that reflects your needs and wishes, both now and in the future.
The History of Mercer County, Illinois
Following the War of 1812, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that set aside land located in Arkansas, Michigan and Illinois as payment to men who volunteered as soldiers during the war. Mercer County was part of that land, referred to as the “Military Tract.” The land that was to become Mercer County was gifted to Hugh Mercer, a physician who became a general during the War and for whom the county was later named. The county was officially founded on January 13, 1825, seven years after Illinois became a state.
Mercer County, Illinois Today
Located in northwestern Illinois and covering approximately 570 square miles, Mercer County can be found along U.S. Highway 67 and State Highways 17 and 94 with the Mississippi River running along the western border with the State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, Mercer County was home to just over 16,000 residents; however, the County is also part of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a population of approximately 400,000 residents. The county seat of Mercer County is the city of Aledo, home to 3,640 people as of the 2020 Census. Keithsburg and New Boston are the county’s other two cities.
Visitors to Mercer County may want to pass through the Downtown Aledo Historic District and the Keithsburg Historic District, both of which are registered on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The county has several other listings on the NRHP, including the Mercer County Courthouse and the Mercer County Jail. Residents and visitors alike flock to the county’s two annual festivals, the Rhubarb Fest and Antique Days. Held every June since 1991 in downtown Aledo, the Rhubarb Fest offers a variety of rhubarb-related activities, ranging from rhubarb pie sales to free rhubarb seed distributions along with a variety of crafts, entertainment, and music. The city of Aledo’s Antique Days occur each September and offer a citywide food festival, music from local residents and the high school music departments, and sports competitions among the various Mercer County communities.
Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP in the Mercer County Community
Creating an estate plan is highly a personal, and sometimes extremely sensitive, endeavor. At Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP, we understand it can be difficult to discuss many of the issues involved in estate planning with a stranger. This is one of the many reasons why we try to develop life-long relationships with our friends and neighbors in the Mercer County, Illinois community. Doing so allows us to help you create an estate plan that addresses all of your estate planning needs and concerns.
Unlike most legal issues, estate planning is not something that is ever resolved or concluded. Your finished estate plan is never really finished. On the contrary, for your estate plan to be effective and provide you with maximum benefits you must conduct routine reviews of your plan to ensure that any changes in your life are reflected in the plan. For example, your initial estate plan will probably be rather simple, consisting of nothing more than a Last Will and Testament to ensure that you do not die intestate. Later on, however, you may gain a spouse and/or become a parent, meaning you now have a family to protect and provide for in your plan. The inclusion of components such as incapacity planning and probate avoidance are likely at this point. Further down your life’s journey, you may find the need to incorporate additional components into your estate plan, such as business succession planning, Medicaid planning, and/or retirement planning. By the time you reach your “Golden Years,” you should already have addressed funeral and burial planning as well as executed your advance directives if you have strong opinions with regard to end of life medical care and/or the disposition of your body and the type of service to be held after your death. Our goal at Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP is to be with you throughout your life’s journey and help ensure that the people and things that are important to you are protected at all times.
Contact Us
If you have questions relating to estate planning in the State of Illinois, or wish to get started on your estate plan, contact the experienced Illinois estate planning attorneys at Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP by calling 309-944-2188 to schedule your free consultation.
