About Melissa R. DeVantier

Melissa assists individuals and families with their estate and business planning needs. She also advises business owners and stakeholders on a range of topics, including LLC formation, mergers, real estate, contracts, and succession planning.

Client Alert: The SECURE Act

In December 2019, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. The SECURE Act became effective on January 1, 2020, and makes significant changes to retirement accounts, including Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans (“Retirement Plans”). The following is a brief summary of the key changes: The beginning […]

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Leaving a Real Estate Legacy

Many estate planning clients ask me about how to give their real estate to their children. Oftentimes, they are hoping to leave a gift of the family cabin or recreational land in a way that allows their children and grandchildren to continue to use and enjoy the property for years to come, beyond the client’s […]

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Vintage (and Inspired) in the Valley

The Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley has been instrumental in creating not just more, but better opportunities for our children in our community. As their mission states, they strive to “inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring […]

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Inheriting the Family Cottage

As an estate planning attorney, my clients often ask me what they should do with the family cottage, cabin or hunting land “up north.” In a typical situation, Mom and Dad purchased the property years ago at a bargain, and now the children and grandchildren treasure it as a place to gather as a family. […]

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Will or Trust: Which One is Right for You?

It depends! (Typical lawyer answer). The fact is that no two estate plans are exactly the same. Your goals, family structure, and particular situation will dictate what kind of estate plan you need. Let’s look at a few important factors to consider when deciding between a will-based estate plan and a revocable living trust-based estate […]

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