- Consumer's Choice Award 2019
- Consumer's Choice Award 2020
- Consumer's Choice Award 2021
- Consumer's Choice Award 2022
- Consumer's Choice Award 2023
- Consumer's Choice Award 2024
If you are planning your estate, a wills attorney in Orland Hills can help you protect your loved ones and minimize disputes after your passing. A well drafted will clarifies your wishes, names guardians if needed, and designates how assets are distributed. At Frankfort Law Group, we listen to your goals, explain the options in plain language, and guide you through the steps to create a durable, legally sound document. This page outlines how the process works and what you can expect.
Every family has unique circumstances, and thoughtful planning is about more than asset division. It includes choosing an executor, addressing digital assets, and coordinating with guardianship provisions. Our team helps you consider contingencies, review beneficiary designations, and ensure your wishes endure through changes in life. With clear guidance and careful drafting, you can have confidence in your plan, even as circumstances evolve.
A will provides a roadmap that reduces confusion, limits potential disputes, and speeds administration. It ensures guardianship for minors, named executors, and precise transfer of assets according to your instructions. In Orland Hills, state law requires certain formalities, and a well prepared will helps avoid mistakes that can cause delays or challenges. Working with a wills attorney helps you tailor the document to fit your family values, finances, and long term plans.
Frankfort Law Group has a long history serving communities in Illinois, including Orland Hills. Our team concentrates on estate planning and probate matters, guiding clients with patience and clarity. We bring thorough preparation, careful listening, and a practical approach to will drafting, asset protection, and beneficiary designations. While our tone is balanced and supportive, we also consider your personal preferences and family dynamics to craft documents that stand up to scrutiny and provide lasting reassurance.
A will is a legal document that expresses how your property should be distributed after death. It can name guardians for minor children, appoint an executor, and outline charitable bequests. The process involves proper signing, witnesses, and storage. Your will may work in tandem with trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to provide a comprehensive plan. In Illinois, the details matter to ensure your instructions are followed.
Understanding how trusts, probate avoidance, and tax considerations intersect with wills helps you make informed choices. Our firm explains the differences between simple wills, pour over wills, and testamentary trusts, and helps you decide what fits your goals. We review family assets, debts, and potential challenges to create a plan that minimizes complexity during administration.
A will is a formal written document that expresses your instructions for distributing assets and caring for dependents. It becomes effective after death, and its validity relies on compliance with state requirements, including witnesses and signatures. By detailing beneficiaries, executors, and guardians, you provide a clear path that helps your loved ones avoid confusion and conflict. Regular updates ensure the document reflects your current circumstances and wishes.
Key elements include the testator, beneficiaries, executors, guardians, and the asset list. The drafting process involves gathering information, choosing fiduciaries, signing in the presence of witnesses, and storing copies securely. Steps may also include updating beneficiary designations on financial accounts, coordinating with trusts, and revising the will after life events. A careful approach reduces potential disputes and supports smooth administration.
This glossary explains common terms used in wills and estate planning, including executor, beneficiary, probate, and revocation. Understanding these terms helps you communicate your wishes clearly and ensures your plan is implemented as intended. Keep this glossary handy when you discuss your plan with your attorney and review updates.
The executor is the person named in your will to manage the estate after your passing. This role includes gathering assets, paying debts, filing final tax returns, and distributing property to beneficiaries according to your instructions. Choose someone responsible, trustworthy, and organized. You can name alternates if your first choice is unable to serve. Clarify powers and duties in writing to minimize delays and disputes during administration.
Probate is the court supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate. It validates the will, identifies assets, pays creditors, and distributes remaining property to beneficiaries. This process can take time and incur costs, so careful planning aims to simplify probate or avoid it where possible, such as through trusts or asset titling strategies. Your attorney can explain the expected timeline and help you prepare the required documents.
A beneficiary is a person or organization designated to receive assets under your will or trust. The chosen beneficiaries can be specific, contingent, or percentage based. Clear naming helps prevent confusion and ensures your instructions are followed. It is wise to review beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and payable on death assets to align with your will.
Revocation is the process of cancelling a will or parts of it. This can occur through a later will, a codicil, or a formal document that states your intent to revoke. Keeping your plans updated and properly stored helps ensure that only the most current instructions are honored. A professional review can confirm that revocation has been executed correctly.
When planning your estate, you may choose a last will, a living trust, or other instruments. Each option has pros and cons depending on goals, privacy, cost, and complexity. Wills are straightforward but go through probate; trusts can avoid probate and provide ongoing control. Our team explains these choices in plain language, helping you align your plan with family needs, asset types, and long term goals.
For some simple estates, a straightforward will may be enough to fulfill wishes and minimize costs. Focusing on essential provisions, asset lists, and guardianship for minor children can provide clear direction without added complexity. This approach works well when assets are uncomplicated and there are few beneficiaries or trusts involved.
In select scenarios, careful planning with informed choices can reduce the need for extensive probate. Avoiding probate can save time and expense, especially for modest estates. We help you assess options such as beneficiary designations and simplified provisions that still protect your aims.
When families are complex or assets span multiple accounts and jurisdictions, a comprehensive approach helps coordinate wills with trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. A thorough review reduces gaps and ensures your plan reflects all aspects of your financial picture while remaining understandable to loved ones.
Long term planning requires regular updates as life events occur. Our team assists with timely revisions to reflect marriages, births, divorces, and changes in assets. A comprehensive service ensures your documents stay aligned with current laws and your evolving family dynamics.
A comprehensive approach provides a clear, cohesive plan for your estate. It reduces surprises during administration, clarifies beneficiary intentions, and coordinates with trusts and powers of attorney. Clients often experience greater peace of mind knowing that their wishes are durable and well documented, with step by step instructions that make the process smoother for loved ones and executors.
Through a complete review of assets, debts, and family considerations, a comprehensive plan helps protect vulnerable dependents, provides for caregivers, and offers guidance on charitable bequests. The result is a thoughtful, organized framework that supports your goals across generations while remaining practical and easy to follow.
A well structured plan with updated documents reduces delays in administration. Clear executor duties, guardian designations, and asset lists help executors move through probate with less friction. Families benefit from predictable timelines and fewer miscommunications, allowing for a respectful and efficient settlement of affairs after a passing.
A comprehensive approach provides explicit instructions for every stage, reducing questions and disagreements. Beneficiaries receive clear distributions, timelines, and expectations. This clarity helps preserve relationships during what can be a sensitive period and encourages cooperation rather than confrontation among loved ones.
Begin by compiling a current list of assets, including bank accounts, investments, real estate, and personal items of value. A thorough inventory helps you decide who receives what and simplifies the drafting process. It also informs your executor about how to manage and distribute assets efficiently, reducing uncertainty during administration.
Life events such as marriage, birth, or relocation should prompt a will review. Updating your documents ensures they reflect current wishes and family circumstances. Set a reminder to revisit your plan every few years or after major life changes to keep everything aligned with your goals.
Planning ahead for end of life matters helps you protect your loved ones and minimize potential disputes. A thoughtful will provides guidance on guardianship, asset distribution, and executor responsibilities. It also offers reassurance that your wishes will be carried out even as life evolves. In Illinois, proper drafting and execution are essential to ensure enforceability and a smooth process for your family.
This service is particularly beneficial when you have dependents, significant assets, or blended family arrangements. By taking a proactive approach, you can reduce uncertainty and ensure your values are reflected in the plan. Working with a qualified attorney helps you navigate state requirements and tailor your document to your unique situation.
Several circumstances commonly prompt a wills and estate planning review. Marriages or remarriages, births or adoptions, inheritances, new guardianships, or changes in residency can all necessitate updates. When family dynamics shift due to divorce, a death in the family, or relocation, revising your will ensures your intentions stay clear and legally enforceable. Keeping documents current helps protect those you care about the most.
A new marriage may change beneficiary designations and asset distributions. Updating the will ensures your spouse is provided for while avoiding unintended consequences for children from prior relationships. This step creates a cohesive plan that reflects your updated family structure and long term goals.
Adding a child to your family often requires naming guardians and allocating assets for child care and support. Updating the will with guardian designations helps protect your children’s well being and provides continuity in case of unforeseen events.
Moving to another state may affect how your will is executed. Revising your document ensures it complies with the new jurisdiction and aligns with local rules, guardianship norms, and tax considerations. A updated plan avoids confusion and helps your family navigate future changes smoothly.
Our team is ready to discuss your goals and help you build a practical estate plan. We listen carefully to your concerns, explain options in clear terms, and guide you through the drafting and signing process. With a focus on thoughtful planning and dependable support, we aim to make estate planning straightforward and accessible for families in Orland Hills and across Illinois.
Choosing our firm means working with a dedicated team that prioritizes clarity, responsiveness, and practical guidance. We tailor strategies to your situation, helping you protect assets, designate guardians, and appoint trusted executors. Our approach emphasizes communication and transparency, ensuring you understand each step and feel confident in your plan.
We strive to deliver reliable service without pressure, focusing on delivering results that reflect your values. Our aim is to help you complete your planning with confidence, minimizing stress for your loved ones and providing a clear roadmap for future administration. We welcome questions and provide timely, helpful information throughout the process.
If you are looking for thoughtful guidance from a firm that understands local regulations and family dynamics, our team can help. We emphasize practical steps, comprehensive review, and ongoing support to keep your plan up to date as life changes unfold.
We begin with an initial conversation to understand your goals, followed by a structured drafting phase. We collect information about assets, debts, and beneficiaries, then prepare a complete plan for your review. After you approve, we finalize the documents, arrange for witnessing and signing, and provide guidance on storage. Ongoing support is available to update your plan as life changes occur.
During the initial consultation we discuss goals, explain options, and gather information about your family and assets. This meeting helps us tailor a plan that aligns with your values while complying with Illinois law. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and understand the proposed approach before moving forward.
We listen to your priorities, review family dynamics, and collect essential details about assets and creditors. This step establishes a foundation for an organized and effective estate plan that reflects your wishes and provides a clear path for executors and guardians.
We outline a practical plan based on your needs, discuss potential structures such as wills and trusts, and explain the associated costs and timelines. You gain a clear understanding of the process and what to expect as we move toward drafting the documents.
We collect financial statements, beneficiary information, guardianship preferences, and any existing estate planning documents. Our drafting process translates your goals into precise language, ensuring legal validity. We collaborate with you to refine details and prepare the final versions for review.
A thorough review of assets informs how distributions will occur. We coordinate beneficiary designations on accounts and ensure consistency with the will. This alignment helps prevent conflicts and promotes a smoother administration after your passing.
We address guardianship for minors or dependents, specify responsibilities, and document contingency plans. Clear guidance reduces uncertainty for family members and supports your care preferences.
We finalize documents, arrange for witnesses, and ensure proper signing in accordance with Illinois requirements. We provide storage recommendations and offer guidance on updating your plan in the future to reflect changing needs and laws.
The signing process involves witnesses and, where required, notarization. We confirm that all formalities are satisfied so the document remains binding and enforceable under Illinois law.
We provide copies for you and your executor, along with storage guidance. We also discuss potential future updates and how to track changes to keep your plan current.
At the Frankfort Law Group, we take great pride in our commitment to personal service. Clients come to us because they have problems, and they depend upon us to help them find solutions. We take these obligations seriously. When you meet with us, we know that you are only doing so because you need help. Since we started our firm in northeast Illinois, we have focused on providing each of our clients with personal attention. You do not have to be afraid to tell us your story. We are not here to judge you or make you feel ashamed for seeking help. Our only goal is to help you get results and move past your current legal problems.
At the Frankfort Law Group, we take great pride in our commitment to personal service. Clients come to us because they have problems, and they depend upon us to help them find solutions. We take these obligations seriously. When you meet with us, we know that you are only doing so because you need help. Since we started our firm in northeast Illinois, we have focused on providing each of our clients with personal attention. You do not have to be afraid to tell us your story. We are not here to judge you or make you feel ashamed for seeking help. Our only goal is to help you get results and move past your current legal problems.
A will specifies how you want property distributed after death and can name guardians for minor children and an executor to manage the estate. A trust, by contrast, holds assets during your lifetime and after death, often avoiding probate for certain assets. Both tools help control your affairs, but a will is generally simpler to arrange while a trust offers ongoing management and potential tax planning advantages.
Review your estate plan every few years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth or death in the family, or a significant change in assets. Changes in law may also impact your documents. Regular check ins with an estate planning attorney help ensure your plan remains aligned with your goals and current legal requirements.
Your executor should be someone responsible, organized, and trusted to handle finances and legal tasks. Common choices include a spouse, adult child, or a close family member. It is wise to discuss the role with the person before naming them and to appoint alternates in case the first choice cannot serve.
Yes. You can amend a will with a codicil or draft a new will entirely. It is important to follow proper formalities and ensure the new document revokes the previous one. Always store updated copies with your other critical documents and inform your executor and attorney of the changes.
If you die without a will, Illinois law determines who receives your property through intestate succession. This may not reflect your wishes and can result in unintended distributions. Creating a will ensures your instructions are followed and your loved ones are considered according to your plans.
Having a trust can complement a will by providing ongoing management of assets and potential probate savings. A trust does not eliminate all probate, but it may reduce complexity for certain assets and provide privacy. An attorney can help you determine whether a trust is appropriate for your goals.
Probate duration in Illinois varies with complexity, assets, and court schedules. Simple estates may complete in several months, while more complex ones can take longer. An estate plan designed to minimize probate can help limit time and costs, but the exact timeline depends on individual circumstances and court backlogs.
Costs vary based on the complexity of the plan and the attorney’s fees. A straightforward will is typically less expensive than an intricate estate with trusts and multiple assets. We provide clear explanations of services and associated costs, and we can tailor a plan that fits your budget while meeting your goals.
Yes. Beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable on death accounts can override statements in a will if not coordinated. It is important to review these designations and align them with your overall estate plan to ensure consistency across all accounts and documents.
A handwritten will may be valid in Illinois if it meets certain requirements, but courts often scrutinize such documents. To ensure enforceability, it is generally recommended to use a formal will prepared by an attorney and properly witnessed. This reduces the risk of disputes and ensures your instructions are clear.