Contested Estates
If you believe that someone you knew had left you a gift upon their death and, after that person dies it appears that his or her last will and testament or trust disinherited you or did not leave that which you believe was promised to you, you may have a right to contest that person's will or trust. In Illinois, a potential will or trust contest must be instituted within 6 months of that person's will being admitted to probate. In order to prevail in a contest, a contestant must allege and prove, by clear and convincing evidence, a recognized cause of action. In Illinois, any person is free to disinherit anyone including a spouse or children - it is not enough to allege that you were disinherited. Some of the recognized causes are:

Estate Planning and Real Estate
We believe that everyone, including those with limited assets , can benefit from proper estate planning. We can assess each client's needs in respect to asset transfers upon death, planning for potential disability, planning to avoid probate administration, and estate tax reduction/elimination. We also strongly believe that all people should address potential health care needs - especially in the event of terminal illness, coma etc. With proper planning, serious healthcare decision can be addressed in the event of your incapacity and inability to convey a healthcare desire.

Probate Administration
Probate administration is, in general, a Court proceeding to authenticate a deceased person's last will and testament and to see to the proper payment of all just debts, fees and costs and ultimately to make sure that the assets subject to probate are distributed per the decedent's will. Alternatively, where a person dies without having a will, probate adminstration is to see to the proper distribution of assets of a deceased person by paying all just debts, fees, costs and, at the conclusion of the probate proceeding the final distribution to the person entitled to receive the deceased's assets. When a person dies without a will (intestate), the net assets of a probate estate are distributed to a person's heirs at law, if known, or if unknown, the assets would ultimately be paid to the county treasurer to be held for a certain period of time until known heirs are found and, if none found, the State of Illinios would receive the funds.

Probate Litigation

Trusts

Will Contests

Wills