Wills and Trusts Lawyer in Chicago

Ready to Help You Plan

There is nothing more important than ensuring that your family is safe and secure. An essential and relatively easy way to make sure your family is cared for is by having an estate plan in place when you pass away. With the help of a wills and trusts lawyer in Chicago, make sure everything is in order for your loved ones when the time comes through thoughtful estate planning. From property division and family heirlooms to naming guardians for minor children, estate plans can save loved ones confusion and stress during an already difficult time. An experienced wills and trusts attorney in Chicago may be able to help you plan for the future of your property and assets—and, more importantly, your family. Wills and trusts lawyers work diligently with clients to make sure a thorough estate plan meets the fullest legal requirements.

Do I Need a Will?

A legal will is an essential component of any well-executed estate plan. In some cases, the legal will may be the entirety of the estate plan as far as legal documents. While many people assume they do not need a legal will in place due to a lack of financial assets of major significance, the truth is that everyone, regardless of financial standing, needs to have a legal will in place. Since a will may contain pertinent final wishes of the deceased on a wide range of matters, it is a useful tool for every individual. While some individuals may forgo a will for a trust instead, that does not mean that a will should not be considered the first and most basic form of an estate plan. If you are unsure if you need a will, speaking with an experienced estate planning attorney is a good first step.

What Can be Included in a Will?

As one of the primary estate planning documents in an estate plan, the legal will serves as the word of the deceased regarding their final wishes on handling relevant affairs. A will may include instructions pertaining to property division, asset distribution, guardianship of minor children, ownership of pets, and more. A person’s will may also outline how to handle debts and other outstanding legal concerns. A will is also a place to specify your last wishes regarding burial and funeral services. Depending on the needs of the individual, wills may also include information on handling stocks, shares, or other pertinent business dealings. With the help of an experienced estate planning attorney in Chicago, creating a will or related estate planning documents that meet your exact needs can be an achievable task.

How Do I Decide between Trusts and Wills?

While a will is ideal for everyone as a legal option, a trust may only be suitable for certain individuals. The use of a trust has certain benefits over a will, such as faster access to property and assets for the named beneficiaries chosen by the individual as part of their estate plan. A trust may also be ideal for individuals who want their beneficiaries to have access while they are still alive, such as through a living trust fund. Even with the use of trusts, it may still be advisable to have a legal will in place for your comprehensive estate plan as well. Experienced Chicago estate planning attorneys will be able to assist you in figuring out the best legal avenues for your wishes based on your individual circumstances. Estate planning attorneys will explain matters such as trust administration, revocable trust, durable power, beneficiaries, and all other aspects of estate planning.

How Can a Wills and Trusts Lawyer in Chicago Help?

The process of creating a comprehensive estate plan can be overwhelming, especially when you may need several different legal documents used in estate plans. There is also the matter of creating a will that is valid and legal in the eyes of the court. If a will is deemed questionable as to its validity by a judge, it will greatly slow down the probate process in the distribution of property and assets to loved ones after you pass away. It is important to seek legal counsel from experienced wills and trusts attorneys to ensure your estate plan documents meet the requirements of the law. Aside from assisting with creating an estate plan, a wills and trusts lawyer in Chicago may also assist those who have just lost a loved one and now must face the probate process with the courts. From probate administration and durable power to probate court, estate planning attorneys are here to help.

Find Estate Planning Help Today

Few things in life are more important than making sure your estate planning is in order. Working with experienced estate planning attorneys in Chicago will give you the peace of mind you deserve to know that your family, property, and assets are cared for according to your final wishes. When in need of experienced, comprehensive legal services, our law firm is here to help. With over three decades of providing legal services to the Chicago area, we are a trusted law firm you can count on for such important matters. Contact 773-232-6643 for an initial consultation today on estate planning. Find out how estate planning lawyers may be able to help you plan for a better future.