Section Newsletters

Articles From Timothy S. Midura

Estate Planning for Animals By Timothy S. Midura Elder Law, July 2025 This article by Timothy S. Midura explores the often-overlooked area of estate planning for pets, framing it as a specialized form of special needs planning. Since pets are dependent, perishable beings lacking legal personhood, estate plans must explicitly address their care upon the incapacity or death of their human guardians. Despite their central role in many families, pets are legally treated as property, which complicates planning but also mandates it for ethical and practical reasons.
Estate Planning for Animals By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, June 2025 This article by Timothy S. Midura explores the often-overlooked area of estate planning for pets, framing it as a specialized form of special needs planning. Since pets are dependent, perishable beings lacking legal personhood, estate plans must explicitly address their care upon the incapacity or death of their human guardians. Despite their central role in many families, pets are legally treated as property, which complicates planning but also mandates it for ethical and practical reasons.
Estate Planning for Animals By Timothy S. Midura Animal Law, May 2025 This article by Timothy S. Midura explores the often-overlooked area of estate planning for pets, framing it as a specialized form of special needs planning. Since pets are dependent, perishable beings lacking legal personhood, estate plans must explicitly address their care upon the incapacity or death of their human guardians. Despite their central role in many families, pets are legally treated as property, which complicates planning but also mandates it for ethical and practical reasons.
Case Management Lessons From ‘The Art of War’ Part 3: Substance and Application (Continued) By Timothy S. Midura & Colleen L. Sahlas Trusts and Estates, June 2020 The final article in a series of articles which extrapolates case management lessons from military principles taught in 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu.
Case Management Lessons From ‘The Art of War’ Part 2: Substance and Application By Timothy S. Midura & Colleen L. Sahlas Trusts and Estates, April 2020 The second in a three-part series of articles that extrapolates case management lessons from military principles taught in The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
Case Management Lessons From ‘The Art of War’—Part 1: Introduction By Timothy S. Midura & Colleen L. Sahlas Trusts and Estates, January 2020 This series of articles will challenge you to use 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu as inspiration to think creatively, strategically, and tactically in your case planning and implementation.
Estate planning for non-human animals by human animals part 2: Pet trusts and other drafting considerations By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, January 2019 An overview on drafting estate planning documents for animal interests (including pet trusts), income taxation of pet trusts, and conclusion commentary.
Estate planning for non-human animals by human animals: Why, who, and how By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, December 2018 An overview of estate planning for non-human living creatures, particularly domestic or pet animals, that are considered property or things under the law.
Heckerling 2016 reviewed By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, February 2016 An overview of the recent Heckerling conference.
Reflections from the 2015 Heckerling Institute By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, March 2015 Author Timothy Midura attended the 2015 Heckerling Institute and shares his perspectives.
Heckerling reflections By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, February 2014 The author shares his 'global take-aways' from the January 2014 Heckerling Institute in Orlando.
Reflections on the Illinois decanting and directed trusts statutes By Timothy S. Midura Trusts and Estates, May 2013 Having studied the Illinois directed trusts statute and the decanting statute and then working with them practically, the author now makes some reflections and offers some tips.

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