Many people finally get around to writing a will in order to safeguard their assets for their heirs. But what if you've got the opposite problem: Your nest egg was decimated by the recession, bad investments or simply living longer than expected and now you've got a mountain of bills you can't pay off.

Will your kids inherit your debts after you die?

The short answer is, not in most cases. But there are situations where someone could be legally responsible for paying off your bills after death. Plus, aggressive creditors have been known to coerce heirs into paying off debts for which they're not responsible, just to be left alone.

If you're afraid that your financial legacy will be a heap of unpaid bills, here's what you need to know and prepare for:

In general, children aren't responsible for paying off their parents' unsecured debts - things like credit cards, personal loans and medical bills, which aren't collateralized by physical property. If there's not enough money in the estate to pay off those bills, creditors will have to write them off.

There are several exceptions, however:

• If your child, spouse or other acquaintance is a cosigner on a credit card or loan (e.g., mortgage, car, personal loan), they share equal responsibility for paying it off. This is why you should always think twice before cosigning anyone's loan.
• If someone is a joint account holder - that is, their income and credit history were used to help obtain the loan or credit card - they're generally responsible to pay off the balance.
• Widows and widowers are responsible for their deceased spouse's debts if they live in a community property state.

Note that authorized users on your credit cards aren't liable for repayment since they didn't originally apply for the credit. Chances are they were simply "piggybacking" on your credit record to help build their own. However, to protect authorized users from being bothered by creditors after your death, you may want to remove them from your accounts.

If you have outstanding secured debts upon death, such as a mortgage or car loan, your estate must pay them off or the creditor can seize the underlying asset. For example, if you were planning to leave your house to your kids, they'll need to either pay off or continue making payments on any outstanding mortgage, property taxes and insurance, or risk foreclosure.

Depending on your state's laws, there are a few types of assets, like life insurance proceeds and retirement benefits, which you can pass along to beneficiaries that generally won't be subject to probate or taxation and thus may be safe from creditors.

Just be aware that if you name your estate as beneficiary for an insurance policy or retirement account, creditors can come after the money to pay off your debts. Thus, it's usually wise to name specific individuals as beneficiaries - and back-up beneficiaries, in case they die first. Also, if your beneficiary is a cosigner on any of your debts, creditors can pursue him or her for any balances owed.

Check with a probate attorney or legal clinic familiar with your state's inheritance and tax laws. Free or low-cost legal assistance is often available for lower-income people.

Bottom line: If you expect to leave unpaid debts after you die, alert your family now, so that together you can plan a course of action. You don't want to blindside your loved ones in the midst of their grief.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on the Jackie Robinson West Little League team's final game of the  Little League World Series:

"Jackie Robinson West has made a legendary run and finished runner-up, placing at the second best spot for any little league team across the world.

"Over these past few weeks, communities across the nation came together to watch these young boys from the South Side of Chicago win game after game against the best young ballplayers in the world.

"Throughout the tournament they have made Illinois proud and represented the very best our state has to offer.

"When they return to Chicago, they will return as true sportsmen. Everyone now knows the Jackie Robinson West team and will remember when communities across our state came together to support their special season.

"I thank Coach Butler and the families of our players who have mentored and supported the Jackie Robinson West team on and off the field. Lessons learned in competitive sports often become values instilled for a lifetime.

"Congratulations on a fantastic season, Jackie Robinson West, our very own dream team. You have made Illinois very proud."

Moline, IL. - James Taylor and his All-Star Band are coming to iWireless Center on November 6 for one intimate and memorable night!

Tickets go on sale on Friday, September 5 at 10 am at Ticketmaster; charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

As a recording and touring artist, James Taylor has touched people with his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar-playing for more than 40 years, while setting a precedent to which countless young musicians have aspired. Over the course of his celebrated song-writing and performing career, Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards for classics ranging from Sweet Baby James in 1970 to October Road in 2002. He has won multiple Grammy awards and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Come spend an unforgettable night with America's iconic singer-songwriter James Taylor.

TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 AT 10 AM AT

TICKETMASTER.COM; 800-745-3000.

Illinois National Guard Adjutant General kicks off 136th National Guard Association Conference

CHICAGO (08/24/2014)(readMedia)-- The 136th National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) General Conference and Exhibition at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago runs Aug. 22 to 25.

The annual event allows members to gather and vote on the top legislative priorities for NGAUS, share information and celebrate the camaraderie of being National Guard and NGAUS members.

Approximately 3,500 National Guard members and their guests use the gathering to plan and help shape the future of the National Guard. Delegates from 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia are setting the legislative agenda and electing new members to the NGAUS board of directors.

The conference also features nearly 1,100 exhibitors that market products and services to the Guard.

Illinois Air National Guard Airman of the Year recognized during National Guard Association Conference

By Master Sgt. Ken Stephens, 126th Air Refueling Wing

CHICAGO (08/24/2014)(readMedia)-- One of the top rated Airmen for the Illinois Air National Guard was recognized by the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force during the 136th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference in Chicago on Aug. 23.

Tech. Sgt. Steven Greenleaf, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, received a commander's challenge coin from Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force's highest ranking officer, in a personal, one-on-one meeting at the conference.

While commenting on Greenleaf's civilian occupation and how it compliments his National Guard duties, Welsh said, "That's one of the strengths of the Guard. They come in with other skills, see problems we don't, and then they fix them."

Greenleaf, an engineering assistant craftsman with the 183rd Civil Engineer Squadron, part of the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, Illinois, was chosen as the 2014 Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year by the Illinois Air National Guard. The selection was based on job performance, personal development and community service.

"It's great for individuals to be recognized for their work," said Greenleaf, "and it's also a reflection on the excellence of their team."

Greenleaf has volunteered for five deployments since enlisting in the National Guard in 2002. His most recent tour was to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in 2013 where he was chosen as the Warrior of the Week for his engineering work supporting Air Force facility and maintenance programs.

He continues to be involved in the local community, volunteering his time with homeless shelters and the Humane Society. He also assists forensic and Geobase class students at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville where he graduated in 2013.

Senator Lindsey Graham speaks to Guardsmen at Chicago conference

By Spc. Ian Withrow, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CHICAGO (08/24/2014)(readMedia)-- Senator Lindsey Graham, the senior senator from South Carolina, spoke during the first business day of the 136th annual National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) conference in Chicago, Aug. 23, 2014.

Graham addressed an audience of National Guard members and association members, vendors and exhibitors at the conference. Graham's speech covered a variety of topics, from national defense to the tradition and honor the National Guard represents.

"The culture of the National Guard is irreplaceable," said Graham. "The Guard is indispensable to our national defense."

Maj. Jason Zeliph of New York, with Joint Forces Headquarters of the New York National Guard, said events like the NGAUS conference give members of Congress an opportunity to show their commitment to National Guard interests.

"I think it's important for members of Congress to speak at events like these," said Zeliph.

Maj. General Don Dunbar, of New Berlin, Wisconsin, the Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard said it is important for elected officials to see and understand National Guard concerns.

"Events like NGAUS, give us a voice on Capitol Hill in the right way," said Dunbar. "It's not appropriate for Soldiers and Airmen to go protest, or lobby their interests, but organizations like NGAUS can express our interests in the correct setting," said Dunbar.

Approximately 3,500 National Guard members and their guests use the annual NGAUS gathering to plan and help shape the future of the National Guard. Delegates from 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia are setting the legislative agenda and electing new members to the NGAUS board of directors.

The conference concludes on Aug. 25.