Chicago Illinois Estate and Succession Planning
Estate planning is essential for persons obtaining a divorce, adopting children, or receiving asset allocations. Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona performs extensive estate planning to help its clients protect their families’ financial futures. We prepare wills, trust instruments, powers of attorney and related documents. We are experienced in advising clients regarding probate avoidance and trust law. GKWW has a substantial practice in the representation of closely held companies. For these clients, succession estate planning is essential. The failure to plan may lead to the sale of a business, the payment of estate taxes and other obligations. The death of a business leader without a succession plan may also lead to family and business disharmony, resulting in financial and emotional damage. All too often, those who have not availed themselves of these tough decisions must not only grapple with the death of a loved one but must also face substantial loss of money and control.
Will and Trust Disputes
We handle will and trust disputes and counsel families who face conflicts when a family member dies. We have represented clients regarding the improper pre-death use of powers of attorney for property and have challenged trusts to enable heirs to receive a disbursement of assets on an expedited basis. We also can assist with the special legal problems of the elderly and permanently disabled, including guardianship proceedings and health care decisions.
We have filed actions for accounting, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud against executors and trustees, including “caretakers” and “friends” who have taken advantage of the elderly. As a result of representing clients whose elderly relatives have been victims of fraudulent wills or powers of attorneys obtained from manipulative family members, we also assist with the special legal problems of the elderly and permanently disabled, including guardianship proceedings and health care decisions.
When you are considering getting your affairs in order by establishing an estate plan of some sort, it's a good idea to consult a lawyer. While there are many do-it-yourself kits available for simple wills, only an experienced lawyer can give you the peace-of-mind that your final wishes will be carried out in the way that you intend.
Estate planning is a highly complex area of law. There are laws at both the state and federal level which must be considered when determining the best mechanisms to maximize the estate you leave your loved ones. An attorney should be up-to-date on the most recent laws and provide you with the advice you need to make informed decisions about your estate plan.
If you have a lot of assets, a simple will is probably not the best option for you. It may be part of your estate plan, but it is likely not the only tool you should make use of. A qualified Illinois wills and trusts attorney can help you understand the various tools available to you and show you the best way to keep your estate intact to pass down to future generations.
Finding a good estate planning lawyer can take some time. And it is important to put forth the time and effort such an endeavor demands. Remember, you are entrusting someone to help you carry out your final wishes and ensure that your loved ones are cared for in the way you intend when you are no longer around. Make sure you have a solid estate plan to care for your family by seeking the assistance of an experienced Illinois wills and trusts attorney.
