In selecting counsel in a Trusts and Estates Litigation matter, it is critical to select experienced counsel as these types of cases are fraught with procedural, ethical, and state and federal tax minefields. The best of the best in this field not only bring substantial litigation and probate court experience, but also have additional skills as mediators, arbitrators, and negotiators in the non-litigated resolution of trust, estate, and protective proceedings controversies, helping resolve extremely difficult cases without costly litigation.
The practice of Trusts and Estates also includes litigation prevention matters including review and consultation of the policies, practices, and proposed actions of corporate, charitable, and individual fiduciaries against national or state standards for acceptable fiduciary conduct , such as the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, Uniform Principal and Income Act, and malpractice standards.
Trusts and Estates Litigation is the specialized practice of law involving the resolution and, if necessary, litigation of trust, estate, and protective proceedings.
Clients vary widely by case and include corporate or individual fiduciaries, such as trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, and conservators, and also include corporate and individual beneficiaries, conservatees, and wards.
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
When opening a trust fund, a grantor allocates a trustee to oversee and manage assets in the account. This trustee can sometimes be a relative, an estate lawyer, or a bank that acts as the legal owner of the trust. While holding assets, the trustee is required to file taxes on trust assets.
An estate consists of the total assets that form an individual’s net worth, no matter how large or small. Estate planning attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws to help people best manage what will happen with their estates after they die or become incapacitated.
While a living trust enables a person to leave funds and assets to a loved one when they're gone, a will is required to cover any assets that aren't included in the trust, such as guardianship of dependents, funeral plans, and forgiveness of outstanding debts, if applicable.
To avoid probate, have an attorney create a revocable living trust. Assign beneficiaries to other assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement plans, and securities. Use an attorney to prepare a living will, name a health care proxy, and create a HIPAA release form. Update the plan every five years.
A trust is an agreement between a grantor, a trustee, and a beneficiary. In this agreement, the grantor allocates funds or real property assets to the trustee to be held either until the grantor passes away or until a specific, agreed-upon date.
Furey Doolan & Abell LLP was founded back in 1975 in Bethesda, DC as a way to provide the community with proper legal representation and consultation. Since their founding, they have grown into one of the most respected firms in the area, and they have proven themselves as a reliable firm that can handle themselves in and out of the courtroom. Furey Doolan & Abell LLP provides many services to their clients including estates and trust planning, corporate law, government relations, real estate, employment law, family law, and litigation.
Handler & Levine, LLC was founded in Bethesda, DC with a goal to aid in their client’s efforts to retain their trusts, and they have expert assistance working through estate planning. The principle, Marc S. Levine, and Norman B. Handler both have decades of experience practicing law, and they strive to make sure their clients’ needs are met in a timely manner, and they receive the highest-quality representation around. Handler & Levine, LLC provides many services to their clients including estate planning, wills, revocable living trusts for incapacity planning, power or attorney, and business law.
The company offers legal services for matters that include estate and power of attorney, wills and trusts, general business legal advice, business entity formation and conversion, internal investigations, fiduciary duties, probate litigation, and more. The firm employs two main attorneys: Michael P. Tomlinson , who is a shareholder, and Michael Munley. They are rated by SuperLawyers and Michael holds a Leading Lawyer Award in 2016 by Emerging Lawyers.
Based in Chicago’s West Loop, Webb Law Group LLC focuses on bringing transparent and efficient legal services to each client. The firm provides legal services for matters that include estate planning, evictions, real estate transactions, guardianship, and probate services. They employ two attorneys, Ralanda Webb and Steven Todd Schmall. Ralanda is a managing attorney, specializes in landlord and probate legal matters, and is a former First Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois. Steven counsels the firm’s clients on real estate matters, is a former Administrative Hearing Officer for an Illinois state agency, and is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois. Ralanda is a Bar member of the U.S. Court of Claims, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. District Court/Trial Bar, the State of Washington, the State of Illinois, and holds a Superb Award for Top Attorney Probate by AVVO. Steven is a Bar member of the No. District of Indiana, East. District of Wisconsin, Cent. District of Illinois, No. District of Illinois Trial Bar, and Illinois.
Based in Chicago, Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC focuses on building business relationships with clients not just as lawyers, but as strategic advisors who understand their customers’ industries inside and out. Founded in 1999, the firm holds the belief that reasonable fees, responsiveness, and high-quality work are the basics of doing excellent work for their clients. The company provides legal services for matters that include estate planning, guardianship representation, tax planning and litigation, labor and employment, real estate development, intellectual property, and more. They are a member of the MSI Global Alliance.
Our goal is to connect people with the best local experts. We scored Chicago Estate Planning Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
A Chicago-based law firm founded in 1993, Golan Christie Taglia LLP focuses on delivering high-quality services, successful results, and personalized service. Their client list includes nonprofit organizations, high net worth individuals, family businesses, and entrepreneurs. The company offers legal services for matters that include real estate taxation, estate planning and taxation, reorganization and bankruptcy, intellectual property, employment law, commercial real estate, entertainment law, mergers and acquisitions, and more. The firm is a member of Leading Lawyers, rated by SuperLawyers, hold a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rating, and hold the Best Law Firms Award in 2016 by U.S. News for Best Lawyers.
Rowe Appraisal Group is an appraisal company serving the Chicago area. The company focuses on serving each client with respect, professionalism, and integrity. Located in Park Ridge and founded in 2006, they also work hard to ensure that each service is delivered quickly with attention to detail and quality reporting. The company provides legal services for matters that include estate and date of death, rush appraisals, commercial real estate, financial planning and trusts, bail bonds appraisals, bankruptcy appraisals, and divorce appraisals.
Located in Chicago and founded in 2004, Garofalo Law Group focus on offering each client personal attention, preparation for each situation, innovative solutions and thinking, long-term relationships, and assistance in legal challenges. The company provides legal services for matters that include estate planning, professional licensing, business law, landlord and tenant rights, real estate, asset protection, elder law, and more. They are a member of SuperLawyers, Wealth Counsel, ElderCounsel, Advisors Forum and the Illinois State Bar Association.
The law is the most valuable when it prevents people, familes, businesses and communities are protected from wrongful actions and from suffering inju... Read More
Glass Law Group is a small boutique style practice with big firm experience! Our goal is to take the fear out of Estate Planning, put folks at ease w... Read More#N#hen having to deal with Estate Adminstration once their loved one passes away and help entrepreneurs start their businesses as well help long time business people develop their business all the way to succession planning. We strive to make a difference in the community and support many local charities and have even helped form 501c3 tax-exempt non-profits for several charities in our area. Attorney F. Stephen "Steve" Glass is our founder and CEO. Steve has a long list of accolad ... View Profile
The Corini Law Office is a family owned and operated law firm. The relationships formed are closer and more personalized than that of larger and non-... Read More#N#family run firms. We take a personal interest in helping our clients resolve their legal issues promptly and effectively!
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Through the Super Lawyers directory, we index attorneys who practice quality and excellence in their work. It is easy to browse estate & trust litigation attorney listings in your immediate area, search for a specific individual referred by a friend, or start narrowing your search by practice area.