Daleiden Law

I’ve been seeing more “For Sale By Owner” signs popping up around my neighborhood lately, so let’s talk about it.

I completely understand the appeal—saving on commission, staying in control, keeping things simple. But from my side of the table as a real estate attorney, I also see where things tend to get more complicated than expected.

There are a few patterns that come up again and again—especially once you’re under contract.

Swipe through for the biggest pitfalls I see.

If you’re considering FSBO, have a real estate attorney involved before you list.

And if you decide to work with an agent, I’m always happy to connect you with trusted realtors.

I was building LEGOs with my kids this weekend and I had one of those “wait… this is actually a perfect analogy” moments.

You can have all the right pieces, but without a plan, it’s just a pile.

That’s what estate planning really is—it’s just a plan for what happens to everything you’ve already built.

And it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Even a simple plan is better than nothing.

If this has been sitting on your to-do list, consider this your nudge.

Send me a DM or use the link in bio to setup a free consultation to make sure your estate and “bricks” are in order 🙌

If you’re a financial planner in Chicago, I believe the best work happens when we function as an extension of each other’s teams. Grateful for partnerships like this one and always open to thoughtful, collaborative relationships.

Are you a financial planner in Chicago looking for a trusted attorney to support your business? Let’s talk.

I was scrolling through Threads last week and came across really valuable advice when it comes to estate planning and passwords and this great advice from 🙏

This is something many people don’t realize until it’s too late: even if loved ones have passwords, accessing photos, emails, and important digital documents after death can be incredibly difficult—or impossible—without proper planning.

Your estate plan isn’t just about wills and trusts. Your digital life matters too.

When you work with me, this is all part of the estate planning process. We talk through digital assets, legacy contacts, and access to accounts—because this is an area that’s often overlooked when people try to do estate planning themselves.

Without these steps in place, families can face red tape, closed doors, and unnecessary distress during an already hard time.

A few reminders worth reviewing:
✔️ Digital accounts and cloud storage
✔️ Legacy contacts where available
✔️ Clear digital access instructions as part of your estate plan

Thoughtful planning is one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave behind.

This post is for educational purposes and not legal advice.