Estate Planning
Having been in Lake County for more than 50 years, we know the area, we know the laws and we will get to know you so that we can best serve you. Estate planning can be a hard task, but the planning you do now can mean less stress for your spouse and children later.
Our team of lawyers can help you throughout the estate planning process. Call our Fox Lake or Waukegan office toll free at 888-351-2429 or contact us online.
Customizing Your Plan To Fit Your Goals And Needs
The lawyers at Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta, Bawcum & Barone, can help with a wide array of estate planning, estate administration and probate needs, including:
- Wills: Make sure your preferences are specifically addressed in a legal document that allows you to express how your estate should be handled after your death.
- Living wills: If something catastrophic happens to you, make sure your loved ones have specific health care directives should you not be able to communicate with them. Your family can better work with doctors in making difficult decisions if they know your wishes.
- Transfer of assets: When it comes to decisions, undoubtedly nothing gets contested more than the finances. When it comes to family-owned businesses, this is particularly important to get right.
- Probate: Probate is the legal process by which your estate’s debts are paid and assets distributed. State laws differ and serve to direct the probate court on how to distribute an estate, so it is important to contact a local lawyer who has a complete understanding of Illinois laws.
- Estate administration: Estate administration involves gathering the assets of your estate, paying debts and distributing the assets that remain. An executor or executrix can be assigned to help with this.
- Family business partnerships: Who will your family business be handed down to? Make sure your wishes are known and clearly defined. We can help.
- Power of attorney: This allows you to grant someone the power to act on your behalf in legal and business matters. A power of attorney can be granted for a limited time or restricted purpose, or it can be a general grant of legal authority to another.
- Revocable or irrevocable living trusts: More people are realizing the estate planning benefits of living trusts. Living trusts are similar to wills, with one major difference: a living trust is not subject to probate, which can save 2 to 4 percent of the total value of the estate.
Contact Us Today
Drafting an estate plan helps your family members and shows you cared enough to plan for their futures. For estate planning legal advice, call Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta, Bawcum & Barone, at 888-351-2429 or contact us online. We have an office in Fox Lake, and our Waukegan office is across from the courthouse. We are a team of experienced attorneys who are ready to help you.
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