Connect with a Qualified Chicago
Estate Planning Attorney Today!
When you need to find an estate planning lawyer in Chicago, it can be a frustrating experience. Finding a qualified attorney that you have to research, interview & vet can be a drawn out process. ChicagoEstateLawyer.com helps you connect with a local experienced attorney to help with your estate planning, probate or trust litigation needs with the following qualifications:
- 10+ years experience
50% or more of their practice must be estate planning related
- In good standing with Illinois State Bar
- Positive online reviews
We’ve already reviewed the experience and qualifications of local estate planning law firms serving Chicago and assembled them in one place. There’s no need for you to go through the time consuming selection process of developing a short-list of attorneys to contact, we’ve already done the heavy lifting for you.
What Does an Estate Lawyer do?
Our network of Chicago estate planning attorneys can help you and your family with a multitude of legal services and issues that help preserve your assets for the people who matter most to you. A comprehensive estate plan can involve one or more of the following:
- Living wills & trusts
Revocable & irrevocable trusts
Power of attorney
Modifications
Asset protection
Wealth preservation
Will contests
In addition to these services, our lawyers also handle cases involving:
- Probate
- Trust litigation
- Intestate succession
- Guardianships & conservatorships
An experienced estate planning lawyer can help you with the services you know you need today, and anticipate your family’s needs in the future.
Can’t I Use an Online Estate Plan Software?
Talk to any estate planning attorney in Chicago about the topic of online wills & living trusts services and a consistent theme will appear. Estate plans and trusts developed by website software are almost always highly flawed, and sometimes unenforceable. In fact, many attorneys make a decent living correcting and modifying the mistakes and omissions of software generated estate planning documents. That’s why we developed this website, to give you access to an experienced, local estate planning lawyer without having to do 100% of the leg work yourself. There’s no replacement for a professional who understands all the moving parts of your current situation and your wishes for your heirs. (Read our article on the difference between a Will and an Estate Plan).
If you’ve worked your whole life to build a nest egg, don’t risk it all to save a few bucks on a discount estate plan.
How Can I Trust ChicagoEstateLawyer.com to Connect me With the Right Lawyer?
Our website helps give you access to an experienced estate planning attorney in Chicago, but you should always do due diligence to determine if the lawyer you choose is right for your unique case. If you feel that the law firm you’ve selected is not right for your estate plan needs, you should seek alternative counsel.
When you discuss your needs with an estate planning lawyer you should ask about their specific experience, if they’ve handled situations that are similar to yours and if there’s anything about your circumstance that requires special attention. Only proceed once you’re comfortable with your choice of lawyer.
How Much Does an Estate Plan Cost?
While we can’t quote you an exact rate for an estate plan without knowledge of your situation, most plans range from $1,500 – $5,000 depending on the complexity of your assets. Owning several properties, having several investment accounts or having ownership in a business are just a few things that may cause an estate plan to cost more. Basically, each asset must be clearly defined, along with beneficiaries and your wishes as to how it’s to be divided.
What Does an Estate Plan Include?
Generally speaking, an estate plan typically includes a will and/or a living trust, Advanced Health Care Directive (AHCD), healthcare power of attorney, beneficiary designations, guardianship designations and a durable power of attorney. This is not a comprehensive list as every family’s needs and situations are unique, but these are some of the most common documents. Additionally, if real property is placed in a living trust, the attorney usually files a change of Deed with the County Recorders office to properly move the property into the trust and makes it accessible to the beneficiary.
How Long Does it Take to Make an Estate Plan?
The process to make an estate plan is usually fairly straightforward. Our listed attorneys start with an initial consultation where they’ll explore your wants & needs, goals and assets. Once they collect and understand everything, they can create an outline of what they recommend for your unique situation and provide you with some options. As long as you come prepared to this initial meeting it will usually take 1 – 2 hours. Typically, within a few days to a week the documents will be drafted and ready for you to sign. Once your pen hits the paper the documents become legal. If you own real property that’s being placed into a living trust, the attorney usually files a notice to the County Recorder’s office which takes 6-8 weeks for recording. If time is a critical factor, then you should let your attorney know right away so they can expedite the process as needed.