The Law Office of Edward L. Stepnowski (1924 - 2013) The Law Office of Frank E. Stepnowski 1515 N. Harlem Ave., suite 205-2 Welcome to our site. Located in Oak Park, Illinois, we are dedicated to giving our clients the highest degree of legal services. About us:
Edward L. Stepnowski (1924 to 2013) was born in Chicago, Illinois. During World War II, he served first with the Army Specialized Training Program and then with the 326th Airborne Regiment. He graduated from dePaul University Law School and was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois in 1950. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States Supreme Court. He was a 63-year member of the Chicago Bar Association, and received the meritorious service award from the Advocates Society. Mowie po polsku. The 1515 North Harlem Building is the only modern building designated as a landmark in Oak Park, a village filled with historic and beautiful houses. Frank recently won appeals against a health insurer which attempted to pay only $50,000 on hospital bills of $600,000. The hospitals and doctors then tried billing the patient for the balances. After the appeals, the insurer paid the claims with no further cost to the patients. He is recently published an article in the Illinois Bar Journal on the operation of health insurance "narrow networks" and "balance billing." In 2013, he was a panelist addressing the Chicago Bar Association Probate Law Committee in a discussion webcast to its members. He addressed current legislation pending in Illinois protecting people with disabilities and proposed changes to the guardianship laws. Articles and Resources
Click here for the Parents of
Children with Disabilities Library
Important new reasons for updating
your Last Will and Testament (2017)
Wills and Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Protect your new graduate with a power of attorney Prince's death illustrates importance of having a will Living Trusts, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Federal court certifies class action for seniors applying to Medicaid. On March 29, 2018, the Federal District Court in Chicago in Koss v. Norwood, certified a class of members who applied for nursing home coverage and have not received a final eligibility determination or a notice of an opportunity for a hearing within 45 days of the date of application in non-disability cases or 90 days in disability cases. Then the court ordered the State to: Medicare, the health coverage for seniors, offers only limited coverage for extended care or nursing homes. Senior must use private, separately purchase long-term care insurance, or spend down their asets. Medicaid will cover this care only when the senior has impoverished his or her assets. The application for medicaid is complicated, but an experienced attorney can preserve some of your loved-one's assets and thus improve the quality of life while under care. Prior to the Koss case, the State was taking too long to approve Meidcaid applications. New: Power of Attorney forms The State of Illinois recently changed the Power of Attorney Act. The law enabled new forms for the Power of Attorney for Health Care and Power of Attorney for Property. Both forms are important for protecting your future and estate planning. They designate someone to act on your wishes if you become disabled or suffer a medical emergency. Call your attorney to discuss which forms can help you. An experienced attorney can modify the forms to meet your specific needs and provide for situations that the legislature did not consider. Every adult should have these forms before an emergency strikes. New: Transfer on Death Instruments Illinois has a new law permitting a deed to transfer residential property upon death, but is this deed always best for your situation? Will a land trust provide more benefits? Ask your attorney. Recently, many people have come to us because their parents or spouses died without preparing for the transfer of the title of their residences. Now the children are stuck in costly proceedings to clear the title to prevent foreclosure, to deal with a bank, to refinance the mortgage, to deal with freeloading siblings, to find distant relatives who may get a share of the house, or even just to repair the house. If you own a home, putting your home in joint tenancy, a land trust, or a TODI can save your loved ones from worry, drawn-out proceedings, and expenses. Properly prepared, you can get the title deed in their names without giving up your control of the property. Preparing the title is relatively inexpensive and often more important than a signing a Last Will and Testament. The article about Prince above notes several estate planning failures:
Contact Us: 1515 N. Harlem Ave., suite 205-2 Oak Park, Illinois 60302 telephone: (708) 848-3663, 848-3662 fax: (708) 848-0219 |