It really did take years to plan our current family living situation.  In 2003, Patricia was hoping to have children, and both mother and daughter wanted frequent, convenient visits between grandparents and (planned) grandchildren. 

Business-wise, both of us wanted to own a building for our shared law practice with a short commute, partly for flexibility in caring for the hoped-for little ones, and partly for flexibility in assisting the grandparents as they would live long and happy into their golden years. 

Our houses were only about 8 miles apart, and some thought that was close enough.  But we preferred being able to walk between houses and didn’t think the little ones would be safe walking the roads.  Plus, we thought that using just one lawn mower (whether human or machine) for both places would work only if closer. 

So, our first plan was for Priscilla and Ed to down-size from their dream five acres on Ridge Road, and build a new, one-level home on a vacant lot behind Patricia’s house right next to a multi-acre park. 

No formal arrangement between our families would be needed; we’d simply be neighbors with our home finances entirely separate.  It was a plan that even we lawyers agreed did not need any written agreement between the generations. 

Simple can work, and multi-generational living can be simple.  To discuss whether your own multi-generational plans are simple enough to work without a written agreement, please call our office at (815) 436-1996 for an appointment.  ©2012 Gruber Law Office, Ltd.