Schaumburg Estate Planning Attorney

Cook County Wills and Trusts Lawyer

Estate planning involves making legal plans and arrangements for what will happen to your assets and your dependents in the event of your death. You can also make arrangements that will address medical care and financial decisions in situations where you cannot express your wishes or make decisions on your own. With a comprehensive estate plan in place, you can be prepared for the future. It is important to fully consider what steps you can take to protect your own financial interests while providing for your loved ones' needs. During some of the most challenging times of your lives, these documents can help you and your family members avoid unnecessary hardship and distress while granting you the peace of mind that your wishes have been properly expressed.

At Anderson Attorneys, P.C., we assist clients in developing personalized estate plans that are effective and enforceable. Attorney Jonathan Anderson has been helping individuals, couples, and families through the estate planning process for more than 30 years. Our firm is experienced in handling all types of personal and financial situations. We can provide guidance on the best estate planning tools to use based on your specific circumstances, and we can help prepare legal documents and ensure that you fully understand the decisions you make regarding your estate.

Do You Need an Estate Plan?

It is wise for every adult to have an estate plan, but it is particularly important for those who own property or have dependents. A will is typically the cornerstone of any estate plan. Without a will, the court will determine what happens to your assets and your dependents based on the state's statutes. The only way to ensure that your wishes will be respected is to express them in a properly executed will. Having a living will or power of attorney will document your preferences regarding your medical care and/or the management of your property and finances in the event of incapacitation. Taking steps to address these potential situations can be essential for everyone, as nobody can ever completely protect themselves from accidents or illnesses that could cause incapacitation.

Trusts can also be a valuable method of protecting and managing your assets while providing for the needs of yourself and your loved ones. By creating and funding a trust, you can ensure that your assets will be managed correctly by a trustee, and you can provide specific instructions to ensure that different assets will be distributed to beneficiaries correctly. Trusts can allow for the quick and simple distribution of your assets, since these distributions take place outside of the probate process and do not require court approval.

We work with people at all stages of life to create comprehensive estate plans. We can also assist clients in updating their existing estate plans to address their current circumstances. Whenever there is a significant life change, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, or a death in the family, it is wise to review your estate plan and make changes accordingly. Likewise, if you acquire any new assets of value, you will want to update your estate plan to address them. We can help you fully consider the best ways to respond to significant changes and provide for the needs of yourself and your family.

Probate Litigation Representation

When a person dies, their estate goes into probate. During this process, the person's will is validated and administered. If the person did not have a will, the court will administer the estate according to the laws of intestate succession. If a will is disputed, probate litigation may be needed. Litigation may also become necessary if there are disputes related to the administration of a trust. We are skilled in handling probate matters, including the litigation of contested wills or other estate disputes. We work with family members, executors, and potential beneficiaries. We always strive to ensure that the decedent's wishes are respected and that our clients' interests are protected.

Contact Our Schaumburg, Illinois Estate Planning Lawyer

If you are interested in creating or updating an estate plan, or if you are in need of probate representation, contact us at 847-850-8899 to schedule a free consultation. From our office in Schaumburg, we work with clients throughout Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, and beyond.