Helping People Plan Their Futures For Over 100 Years
Estate planning can be an onerous topic people find uncomfortable, but it can prove to be helpful to protect your assets and distribute them per your wishes. Passing without an estate plan can leave heirs coping with the court’s probate process, often leaving beneficiaries with a reduced amount of inheritance. At Cowlin, Naughton, Curran, Cuda & Hanzel, our Crystal Lake and Woodstock attorneys offer a seamless approach that helps family members and individuals understand a deceased estate plan and distribute it without error.
Securing Your Legacy Using Wills And Trusts
Your last will and testament is an estate planning document that states your wishes for your property, the care of minor children and other concerns. If you don’t have a will, the state controls these decisions. Creating a will is a fundamental step in managing your estate and ensuring your final wishes are honored.
A trust is a type of fiduciary agreement. It allows a third party called a trustee to hold assets for a beneficiary. You can arrange trusts in many ways and can specify exactly how and when the assets pass to the beneficiaries. Some common types of trusts used in estate planning include:
- Living trusts
- Testamentary trusts
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts
- Charitable trusts
- Special Needs trusts
- Pet trusts
Each serves different purposes to protect assets and offer tax benefits. Our estate planning lawyers guide our clients through the process of creating effective wills and trusts tailored to their unique situations. We work diligently to protect what is most precious to you, ensuring your loved ones and assets are safeguarded. We also do Guardianship cases for adults and minors and are appointed by the Court to act as Guardian ad Litems in these matters.
Guiding You Smoothly Through Probate In Illinois
Probate refers to the process by which the court validates a deceased person’s will and settles their estate. This includes the distribution of assets, payment of debts and resolution of any disputes. In Illinois, the probate process involves several steps, including:
- Validating the will
- Inventorying property
- Appraising assets
- Paying debts and taxes
- Distributing property
Fortunately, our estate planning and probate attorneys have substantial experience navigating the complexities of probate law. We provide compassionate support and professional guidance to help our clients through this challenging time, ensuring the estate is administered correctly and efficiently.
Discuss Wills, Trusts And Probate With A McHenry County Lawyer
Let us help you with the essential task of estate planning or support you through probate. Please call us at 815-459-5300 or send us an email to schedule your free consultation.