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The Successes of Sisyphus: A TRIBUTE TO DENNIS A. NORDEN March 3, 1945 — September 3, 2011 by Robert Lopardo, President, ATG Trust Company

In Greek mythology Sisyphus was a king punished by being compelled to roll a giant boulder up a hill, only to see it roll back down. Each day he had to repeat this throughout eternity. According to legend he is still at it.

Our own Sisyphus story is much more uplifting, though it was a long time before the rock reached the pinnacle and began its inevitable descent down the other side to the valley of success. One man had much to do with that success.

Dennis (Denny) A. Norden was, at the time of his recent and untimely passing, only 66 years of age. In his role as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at ATG Trust Company, Chicago, he spent much of his time negotiating trust agreement language, advising attorneys on how to handle specific and unique drafting measures to satisfy the never ending variety of things people can think of to complicate the financial paths their heirs and beneficiaries will one day inherit.

But his long road to that role is filled with story after story of the Sisyphus-like efforts he employed along the way during his nearly thirty-year career as an attorney in Kankakee, Illinois (read more).
 

 

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Transfer on Death Instrument - Several strategies exist that bypass the probate process when transferring property; however, each offers unique advantages and disadvantages.
 

 

Decedents: PA 97-0555 — Governs an owner's right to transfer residential real estate to one or more beneficiaries on the owner's death.
 

 

Mechanic's Liens: LaSalle Bank Natl Assoc v Cypress Creek 1, LP — Mechanic's lien claimants are preferred only as to the value of the improvements they made.
 

Mechanic's Liens; Slander of Title: Walsh & Kelly, Inc v International Contractors, Inc — A party that files an invalid mechanic's lien may be subject to slander of title for malice and reckless disregard for the truth.
 

Contracts; Foreclosure: Cambridge Financial Services, LLC v Rolon — Continuing to make payments on a mortgage after an agreement that arguably releases a lender&€™s mortgage interest can provide evidence of intent that overcomes contractual ambiguity.
 

 

 

 

Closing Procedures: Prevent Claims: Follow these Eleven Tips
 

 

REMINDER: ATG Privacy Policy Notice - To comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, ATG and its subsidiaries developed a privacy policy and notice informing customers, including buyers and sellers, that ATG will not disclose non-public, personal information to nonaffiliated third parties... read more
 

 

FREE NHS Events for Distressed Homeowners in Elgin - At these events, homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments meet one-on-one with their servicer, a housing counselor, or volunteer who will determine if they qualify for the federal Home Affordable Modification Program, other loan modification, or Illinois' Hardest Hit Fund Homeowner Emergency Loan Program... read more The next 2011 event has been scheduled:   Saturday, October 15 The Hemmens Cultural Center 45 Symphony Way Elgin, Ill. 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon Attorneys/Support Staff: Volunteers are always welcome (see NHS Volunteer Notice. If you wish to give your time to this worthy cause, please contact Pat Washington at pwashington@nhschicago.org or 773-329-4136. The next event will be held in Barrington. Watch this newsletter and our website for updates.

We're Moving Our Wisconsin Office - Effective November 1, the ATG Wisconsin office address will be:   N14W23800 Stone Ridge Drive, Suite 120 Waukesha, WI 53188-1144 Main Phone: 800.788.8989 or 262.347.0102 Fax: 262.347.0110 Watch our website homepage for updates.