Chicago, IL Estates & Trusts Litigation Attorneys
PROTECTING YOUR LEGACY THROUGH THOUGHTFUL
ESTATE PLANNING
Everyone needs a plan for what will happen to their estate once they are gone. Effective estate planning allows you to safeguard what is most important and minimize the odds of future conflict, ensuring your loved ones and legacy are protected exactly as you intend. From naming guardians for minor children to determining how assets are distributed, a well-crafted plan gives you control over decisions that would otherwise be left to the courts or state law.
Our lawyers can help you protect your loved ones and legacy, and can also assist individuals and families with resolving probate and trust administration disputes. Our team can provide you with the estate planning tools and legal processes we can leverage to benefit your case, from wills and trusts to powers of attorney.
It would be wise to create your estate plan sooner rather than later. When you turn 18, you become responsible for more things like your finances, healthcare decisions, and power of attorney, making it the ideal time to put a plan in place rather than waiting for a life event to force the issue.
Estate planning is grounded in the principle of preparing early and revisiting often. You should begin as soon as you become a legal adult and update your plan every 3 to 5 years afterward, ensuring your finances, property, and children are taken care of after your passing. Waiting too long can leave your wishes unprotected.
Probate and Trust Litigation
When someone passes away, their estate must go through probate, where heirs are notified, assets are inventoried, and debts are paid. Probate is notoriously rife with conflict, often centering on the authenticity of the deceased's will. To be valid, the document must be signed by the testator in the presence of at least 2 witnesses, with the testator mentally competent and free from undue influence.
Heirs are formally notified of the will's contents, which can sometimes be controversial or include surprising omissions, prompting some to contest its legitimacy. Probate cannot proceed until these contests are resolved, and our Chicago estate planning lawyers can guide you through each stage to protect your interests. Trusts, while generally not subject to probate, can also face disputes; trustees who fail their fiduciary duties can be sued, removed, and held accountable for financial losses.
