Because your estate plan will be among the most important legal documents you create during your lifetime, choosing the right attorney to help you with your estate plan is essential. Moreover, given the fact that your estate plan will grow and evolve over the course of your lifetime, the relationship you have with your estate planning attorney should also grow and evolve. At the law firm of Amen, Gantner & Capriano, Your Estate Matters, L.L.C. we would be honored to help you with your estate planning needs. Our office has been helping people just like you in Edwardsville, Illinois, and the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, for many years with their estate planning needs and we would be honored to help you with yours.
The History of Edwardsville, Illinois
The first European-American settler to the area know known as Edwardsville, Illinois was Thomas Kirkpatrick who arrived in 1805. Kirkpatrick planned out a community and served as the Justice of the Peace in the town he named in honor of his friend, Ninian Edwards, who was the Governor of Illinois at the time. Edwardsville was incorporated in 1818, making it the third oldest city in the State of Illinois. In 1890, St. Louis industrialist N.O. Nelson chose a piece of land south of Edwardsville to build plumbing factories along with a workers’ village which he named in honor of the French Economist Edme-Jean Leclaire. Nelson offered workers fair wages with reasonable working hours and a share of the profits. Leclaire village was very different from other company owns of the time in that it also provided educational and recreational opportunities and made it financially possible for residents to own their own homes, creating a community where the quality of life for the workers and their families was a major concern. In 1934, the Village of Leclaire was incorporated into the City of Edwardsville. Interestingly, during the town’s early history, five Illinois governors came from Edwardsville: Ninian Edwards, served as governor from 1826–1830; Edward Coles, elected in 1822; John Reynolds- 1830 to 1834; Thomas Ford, – 1842–1846; and Charles Deenen -1909 to 1913.
Edwardsville, Illinois Today
Located in southern Illinois, Edwardsville is a small city in Madison county where it also serves as the county seat. Residents of the town are proud of the fact that a 2010 issue of Family Circle magazine named Edwardsville third of their “Top 10 Best Towns for Families.” As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,293. If visiting Edwardsville, there are many outdoor activities to enjoy and keep active including more than 85 miles of scenic bike-ways that weave throughout the communities of Edwardsville, nearby Glen Carbon, and beyond, connecting neighborhoods, schools, business districts, SIUE, parks, and more. Maps of the trails, can also be found on kiosks throughout the trail system. Nature lovers may also enjoy the Watershed Nature Center, a 46-acre wildlife preserve. The center has programming for children and adults and displays native Illinois plants and animals offering education about the environment. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the Edwardsville Arts Center, the Edwardsville Journal, the Madison County record and the Edwardsville Intelligencer are also located here. The history of Edwardsville has also been preserved in a number of ways. The Nelson factory buildings, for example, were renovated and became the historic N. O. Nelson Campus of Lewis and Clark Community College. In addition, the recognized Historic District, which dates back to 1809 and consists of over a mile of historic homes and structures, was listed on the National Register of Historical Places along with Edwardsville’s Saint Louis Street. Residents of Edwardsville, Illinois enjoy a rare combination of history and community in a thriving 21st century city.
Amen, Gantner & Capriano, Your Estate Matters, L.L.C. in the Edwardsville Community
At Amen, Gantner & Capriano we made the decision a long time ago to develop a law practice that addresses the issues that we feel are most important to the people in our community. With that in mind, we chose to focus our practice on estate planning as we believe that nothing is more important than providing for loved ones, both now and in the future. Knowing what a highly personal process estate planning is, we also believe in developing ongoing relationships within the community and with our clients so that our clients feel comfortable discussing their sensitive and personal legal issues with us.
Creating your estate plan is not something that occurs in a single visit. On the contrary, a well thought out estate plan takes time, and trust, to create. Establishing a solid ongoing relationship with your estate planning attorney is crucial because as you grow and mature, so does your estate and, consequently, so do your estate planning needs. While your estate plan may initially focus primarily on protecting you and your young family from the financial devastation your unexpected incapacity or death could cause, your estate plan should expand and grow as the years go by and your needs change. For example, your plan may eventually include components that will help grow and protect your estate, such as retirement planning, business succession planning, and tax avoidance. You may also start to include strategies in your estate plan that will help your estate avoid probate as well as ensure that you can afford long-term care should you need it in the future. Eventually, you may decide to incorporate advanced directives and funeral planning into your estate plan to provide you with peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored and your loved ones won’t have to endure added stress while grieving your loss. The team at Amen, Gantner & Capriano, Your Estate Matters, LLC will be with you throughout your life’s journey, making sure your estate plan reflects where you are in life and what your needs and goals are at each stage of your journey.
Contact Us
If you have estate planning questions or concerns, or would like to get started creating your estate plan, contact the experienced Edwardsville, Illinois estate planning attorneys at Amen, Gantner & Capriano, Your Estate Matters, LLC by calling (314) 966-8077 to schedule an appointment.
