The David Frank Law Group

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Northbrook, IL
The David Frank Law Group

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Law firm specializing in Residential/Commercial Real Estate & Estate Planning (Trusts, Wills, & POAs)

- Represent both buyers and sellers in residential and commercial transactions
- Perform Tax appeals to help reduce your tax burden
- Available 7 days a week

10/14/2026

🤔 "What if I want to leave my children unequal inheritances?"

It's a question a lot of parents are hesitant to ask. You love your children, but that doesn't necessarily mean you want to leave them equal shares of your estate.

Maybe one child has special needs and will require more financial support throughout their life. Maybe you've already helped another child buy a home or start a business. Or perhaps one child has spent years caring for you while the others have been less involved.

Do you have to divide everything equally? Absolutely not.

In Illinois, you generally have the right to decide how your assets are distributed among your children. But unequal inheritances can create complications if your estate plan isn't carefully drafted.

The last thing most parents want is for their children to end up in a legal dispute over their inheritance.

At The David Frank Law Group, we help families navigate these sensitive decisions. We can structure your estate plan to reflect your wishes, account for different circumstances, and provide clear instructions that help minimize confusion and potential disputes.

Fair doesn't always mean equal. And every family's situation is different.

Have a complicated family situation? We've probably heard it before. Let's talk about how to protect your assets and the people you love.

10/09/2026

I Want to Sell My Home. Should I Wait Until Spring? 🏡

Spring is traditionally the busiest time in real estate, but waiting isn't necessarily your best move.

According to Realtor.com, September 27 through October 3 was the best week to buy a home in Chicago in 2026. During that week:

🍂 Buyer competition was down 33.5% from its spring peak.

🍂 More listings were available than in an average week.

🍂 Sellers were more willing to negotiate than in June.

That week has passed, but October still presents opportunities.

🍂 The Case for Selling NOW

Buyers shopping in October are often motivated to close before the holidays. Inventory is still down more than 10% from last year, and well-priced homes are selling at full asking price in approximately 35 days.

Already have your next home lined up? Selling now may make even more sense since you won't need to worry about finding another place to live.

Still need to buy? Less buyer competition could mean more negotiating power on your next purchase, including price, closing costs, and terms.

However, inventory remains limited, and today's mortgage rates could mean a higher monthly payment, especially if you're giving up a low rate.

🌷 The Case for Waiting Until Spring

Spring typically brings more buyers, potentially more showings, and competing offers. You may also have more homes to choose from for your next purchase.

But more sellers will enter the market, too. And there's no guarantee home prices or mortgage rates will be more favorable next spring.

💰 So, What's the Right Move for YOU?

Start by finding out what your home sale could actually put in your pocket.

We're offering a FREE Seller's Net Sheet estimating how much you'll walk away with after your mortgage payoff, real estate commissions, closing costs, property tax prorations, and other expenses.

Knowing your numbers now can help you decide whether selling this fall makes financial sense or whether you'd be better off waiting.

Thinking about selling? Contact The David Frank Law Group for your FREE Seller's Net Sheet.

10/05/2026

An online will or trust may give you documents.

But documents alone are not an estate plan.

Estate planning gets complicated in ways most people do not realize until it is too late. How is your home titled? Who is listed as beneficiary on your accounts? What happens if one of your children gets divorced? What if a beneficiary is financially irresponsible? Do you have life insurance that changes the size of your estate? Are there Illinois estate tax issues you have never considered?

These are the kinds of details we look at when we build an estate plan.

And there is another major piece that online documents can easily leave to you: funding the trust.

A beautifully drafted trust does very little if the assets that should be in it are never properly transferred or coordinated with the plan. We help you understand what needs to be titled in the trust, what beneficiary designations may need to be reviewed, and what steps need to happen after the documents are signed.

A comprehensive estate plan goes far beyond signing documents. It needs to account for your assets, your family, the potential complications you may not have considered, and the steps required to make sure the plan actually works when it is needed.

Today is the LAST DAY to save $750 on your estate plan with The David Frank Law Group.

If estate planning has been sitting on your to-do list, this is the day to get started.

Contact us today to take advantage of the $750 savings.

10/02/2026

Illinois has an estate tax problem that can catch married couples by surprise.

And before you think, “I don’t have $4 million, so this doesn’t apply to me,” remember that your estate is more than the money sitting in your bank account.

Your home, retirement accounts, investments, business interests and, depending on how they are owned and structured, life insurance proceeds can all factor into the value of your estate. A $1 million or $2 million life insurance policy can move that number pretty quickly.

Now let’s look at a simple example.

John and Mary each have $5 million in assets for a combined estate of $10 million. John dies first and leaves everything to Mary.

No Illinois estate tax is due at that point because assets can generally pass to a surviving spouse without estate tax.

But here’s where the planning matters.

Illinois has a $4 million estate tax exemption per person. Unlike the federal exemption, however, Illinois does not allow a surviving spouse to simply take over a deceased spouse’s unused exemption.

So if John leaves his entire $5 million estate outright to Mary, his $4 million Illinois exemption may go unused.

Mary now owns the full $10 million.

When she dies, she still has only her own $4 million Illinois exemption. That leaves $6 million exposed to Illinois estate tax, with rates that can reach 16%.

That can mean a very substantial tax bill that has to be dealt with shortly after her death.

There were two spouses and potentially two $4 million exemptions. With the wrong estate plan, the family may only benefit from one of them.

This is exactly why estate planning is about more than simply saying, “Everything goes to my spouse.”

A properly structured trust can help preserve both spouses’ Illinois estate tax exemptions and potentially keep significantly more money in the family.

If your estate has grown, your plan was drafted years ago, or you’re relying on a basic will or online template, it may be time to take another look.

Have questions about how Illinois estate tax applies to your family?

We're offering $750 off a comprehensive Estate Plan for a very limited time!

Contact The David Frank Law Group.

09/30/2026

🚨 Cook County property taxes are due this Thursday!

The 2025 Second Installment Property Tax payment is due October 1. Don’t miss the deadline and risk late-payment interest.

You can view your bill, confirm your exemptions, and pay online through the Cook County Treasurer’s Office.

👉 Pay online: https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/

If you have questions about how your property taxes affect an upcoming closing, contact The David Frank Law Group.

09/23/2026

Headwinds on the horizon!

The real estate market has been anything but predictable, and there are still a few factors we’re keeping a close eye on.

In this quick market update, David talks about the continued imbalance in the housing market, where mortgage rates may be headed, and why inflation could complicate the outlook for the balance of the year.

If you’re planning to buy or sell, these are trends worth watching. And as the market shifts, we’re continuing to adjust our expectations right along with it.

Have a transaction coming up or questions about what this means for you or your clients? The David Frank Law Group would love to help.

09/22/2026

If your adult child has an intellectual or developmental disability, your Estate Plan may need to do more than simply name beneficiaries and divide assets.

You may be thinking about questions like:

• Who will help manage their finances in the future?
• How can I leave assets for them without unintentionally affecting eligibility for certain government benefits?
• Who should step in to help make decisions or provide support if I’m no longer here?
• How can I make sure the people involved understand my child’s routines, preferences, relationships and goals?

Depending on your child’s individual circumstances, planning may include a Special Needs Trust, carefully coordinated beneficiary designations, and choosing a Trustee who understands both the legal responsibilities and needs of your child.

A Letter of Intent can also be an important part of the plan. While it is not a legal document, it gives future Trustees, caregivers and family members valuable information about your child and the life you want them to continue living.

Every family is different, and every adult with a disability has different abilities, needs and levels of independence. Your Estate Plan should reflect that.

Our goal is to create a thoughtful plan for your child’s future while protecting the resources and support available to them.

Now is a great time to get your plan in place. Through September 30, we’re offering $750 off our comprehensive estate planning services.

If this is something you’ve been meaning to address, contact The David Frank Law Group to get started.

09/15/2026

🍎 Apple-picking season is here! If you’re looking for an easy fall day trip, there are plenty of orchards around Chicagoland where you can pick your own.

Keller’s Farmstand — Oswego — Aug. 15 through late October
Royal Oak Farm Orchard — Harvard — Aug. 21–Oct. 31
Kuipers Family Farm — Maple Park — Aug. 22–Nov. 1
All Seasons Orchard — Woodstock — Aug. 29–Nov. 1
Jonamac Orchard — Malta — September through mid-October
Edwards Apple Orchard — Poplar Grove — Sept. 11 through late October, depending on variety
County Line Orchard — Hobart, IN — September through late October
Apple Holler — Sturtevant, WI — July through late October
Apple varieties and availability change throughout the season, so check with the orchard before heading out.

🍏 Where does your family go apple picking?

09/12/2026

Wrigley is ready for a sweet new year. 🍎🍯

From all of us at the The David Frank Law Group, we wish everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah a happy, healthy and sweet year ahead.

Shanah Tovah! 🍎🍯🐾

09/09/2026

We’re kicking off a new series highlighting Chicagoland neighborhoods and suburbs for anyone thinking about making a move. First up: Lincoln Square.

If you want city living with a true neighborhood feel, Lincoln Square deserves a look. Tree-lined streets, single-family homes, parks, local businesses and a strong sense of community make this North Side neighborhood especially appealing to families. Lincoln Avenue and Giddings Plaza give the area a walkable, almost small-town feel right in the city.

🏫 Schools
Lincoln Square has several CPS elementary schools nearby. McPherson is a PreK-8 IB World School, while Waters offers Fine and Performing Arts, Ecology and Technology programs. Chappell and Budlong are also options in the area. School boundaries vary by address, so buyers should always check the CPS School Locator.

🛍️ Shopping
Independent businesses are a big part of Lincoln Square’s charm. Local favorites include Merz Apothecary, ENJOY, and Gearhead Outfitters, along with plenty of boutiques and specialty shops.

🍽️ Restaurants
From family dinners to date nights, there are plenty of choices. Favorites include The Warbler and Bistro Campagne, plus German, Italian, Southern and contemporary spots throughout the neighborhood.

🎶 Festivals + Community
Summer brings the Farmers Market, free concerts in Giddings Plaza and Square Roots Festival. In fall, Apple Fest fills the neighborhood with food, vendors, live music and activities for kids.

🚆 Getting Around
The Western Brown Line stop and several bus routes make it easy to get around the North Side and beyond.

🏡 The bottom line: Lincoln Square offers families residential streets, single-family homes, a thriving business district and easy access to the rest of Chicago.

Thinking about making a move? We can connect you with a local real estate agent who knows Lincoln Square. And when you find the right home, David Frank Law Group can help take you from contract to closing.

Address

3400 Dundee Road Suite 320
Northbrook, IL
60062

Telephone

+17732556499

Website

http://thedavidfranklawgroup.com/

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