Estate planning is highly personal and often sensitive in nature given the purpose of an estate plan and the decisions that go into the creation of a plan. Given the importance of the finished product, choosing the right estate planning attorney to guide you through the process is imperative. At the Moline, Illinois law firm of Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP we understand the important role your estate plan will play in protecting you, your assets, and your loved ones. With that in mind, we hope to have the opportunity to assist you in the creation of your comprehensive estate plan.
History of Moline, Illinois
Indigenous people of varying cultures inhabited the area now known as Moline, Illinois for thousands of years prior to it being settled by Europeans. According to the Rock Island County Historical Society, the first permanently settled inhabitants of the Moline area were the Sauk and Meskwaki Indians, who founded the village of Saukenuk in 1720.
By the early 19th century, confrontations broke out between European settlers and natives as settlors continued intruding on Native American land and tribes. In 1832 Chief Black Hawk declared war on the United States, beginning the Black Hawk War. When the war ended later that year, Black Hawk and his people were forced to leave the land and head north, resulting in more European entering the Mississippi Valley. In 1837, a 600-foot stone dam was built connecting the southern bank of the Mississippi River to what is today called Arsenal Island. The dam created an access road between the island’s settlements and the mainland as well as provided water power for a mill. The mill, in turn, attracted many industrialists, causing factories to be built along the shoreline. Shortly thereafter, the town was named Moline “City of Mills”, from the French moulin, and was incorporated in 1848.
The same year, John Deere, the inventor of the self-scouring steel plow, relocated his company from Grand Detour, Illinois, to Moline. The first transcontinental railroad eventually passed through Moline which brought thousands of new immigrants of mostly Swedish, Belgian and German descent to the area.
The City of Moline continues to grow after the American Civil War and by the 1910 census the Tri-Cities metro area had the second highest per-capita income in the United States. Throughout the 20th century Moline’s economy grew steadily until the farm crisis of the 1980’s. Workers were laid off by the thousands, and unemployment in the area soared to twice the national average.
By the 1990 census, Moline showed a population loss for the second straight decade; however, the redevelopment of Moline’s riverfront during the 1990s helped turn the city around. The Mark of the Quad-Cities, now known as the 12,000 seat iWirless Center, was completed in 1993 and is now the home to large conventions, concerts, high school sports tournaments, and a host of other events. In 1998, John Deere Commons was built, a multi million-dollar entertainment and tourism complex including a hotel, restaurants, offices, and a John Deere Collector’s Center. Today, Moline’s downtown again serves as one of the civic and recreational hubs of the Quad Cities.
Recent history of Moline, Illinois
One of the “Quad Cities”, Moline, Illinois is located in Rock Island County, Illinois approximately 165 miles west of Chicago. With a population of 43,977 in 2010, it is the largest city in Rock Island County. Along with remaining the headquarters of Deere and Co., Moline is also home to the Quad City International airport, Niabi Zoo, Black Hawk College, and the Quad Cities campus of Western Illinois University. Nestled on a broad bluff between the banks of the Mississippi River and Rock River, a number of deep ravines break up the city into natural neighborhoods. Moline and its neighboring Quad Cities communities form the largest urban area along the Mississippi River between Minneapolis to the north and St. Louis to the south. Residents of Moline experience hot, humid summers and cold, moderately snowy winters.
Thanks to revitalization efforts during the last decade of the 20th century, Moline’s downtown again serves as one of the civic and recreational hubs of the Quad Cities; many events take place at the 12,000-seat iWireless Center and at John Deere Commons. In 2012, Western Illinois University opened the new riverfront campus, making it the only college campus along the Mississippi. The city plans to continue rebuilding the downtown with its “Moline Centre” plan, making Moline an up and coming place to live and visit.
Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP in the Moline, Illinois Community
At Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP we have devoted our law practice to helping our friends and neighbors in the Moline community protect what is important to them through comprehensive and forward-thinking estate planning. An estate plan should evolve and change along with the changes you will experience in your life. Some estate planning strategies and tools, such as probate and tax avoidance, should be part of your estate plan from the beginning, others will be added along way as they become necessary to meet your changing needs and goals.
When you marry, for instance, it may be time to incorporate incapacity planning into your overall estate plan. When you experience the joy of parenthood for the first time it may be time to incorporate things such as incapacity planning and asset protection strategies into your estate plan. Finally, looking toward your “Golden Years” the team at Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP will make sure your estate plan includes Medicaid and retirement planning components to ensure that you are financially secure and well prepared for your retirement years.
Contact a Highly Knowledgeable Illinois Estate Planning Attorney Today
If you have estate planning questions or concerns, or would like to get started creating your estate plan, contact the experienced Moline, Illinois estate planning attorneys at Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP by calling 309-944-2188 to schedule an appointment.
