Lake Cook Legal Solutions has experience helping people in virtually all walks of life with their estate plan—and trust us, nearly everyone needs and should create a comprehensive estate plan. Our estate planning services cover a broad range of needs, including the following:

• Probate or Probate Court – Probate is a legal process in which a deceased person’s will and estate are reviewed and settled. Proper estate planning can minimize, or even eliminate, the need to go through probate.

• Wills – A will is one of the most basic forms of estate planning. It is a legal document that describes how you would like your assets to be distributed or used after you die. A will will not keep your estate out of probate, however, so keep that in mind when determining what estate planning vehicles you need.

• Trusts – A trust is an estate planning vehicle you can create in order to hold property either during your lifetime and/or after you have passed. The main purpose for a Trust is to manage your estate and avoid Probate. Trusts can also serve a wide variety of purposes such as distribution of your assets to beneficiaries in a manner of your choosing, and can provide major tax benefits.

• Power of Attorney for Property – Power of attorney for property is a right you give to someone you trust to make decisions concerning your property or other assets if you are unable. This can include making payments, and even selling the property, should it become necessary.

  • Power of Attorney for Health Care – Power of attorney for health care is a legal right you grant to someone that allows them to make medical related decisions on your behalf, should you become unable to make them on your own. If you become incapacitated due to an accident, for example, they can accept or deny specific treatments for you.

  • Living Will – A living will allows you to lay out your preferences with regard to medical treatment. It will state what type of care you do or do not wish to receive if you are unable to make your wishes known at the time treatment is needed. In Illinois, this can be combined into one document with your Power of Attorney for health care.

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Begin Your Estate Planning Today

The first step in beginning (or modifying) your estate plan is to contact us. We will set up an appointment where you can come in to begin this essential process. Depending on the size and complexity of your assets, this can take anywhere from just a single meeting to continual meetings over the course of your life. Whatever you need, we are prepared to help.  Contact us today for a free consultation.