Experienced lawyers guiding you through legacy preservation and administration
The essentials of any good estate plan are a will, advance medical directives and durable powers of attorney. But depending on your unique financial and personal circumstances, you may wish to provide for the guardianship of minor children and set up trusts to protect your assets during your lifetime. As experienced and knowledgeable estate planning professionals, we can help you with any and all instruments that match your needs and desires for asset protection.
At Christopher S. Nudo, Attorney at Law our experienced attorneys have offered complete and compassionate estate planning services to individuals and businesses in and around Hoffman Estates for more than three decades. As respected members of the local community, our lawyers have earned the trust of both our clients and our legal peers in providing the kind of legacy planning that offers peace of mind now and provides adequately for your beneficiaries when you pass.
Answering your estate planning questions
It’s difficult enough to navigate the complexities of everyday life without stopping to consider how, in what amount, and to whom you wish to bequeath your property and assets upon your death. You’re bound to have a whole host of questions; the good news is that we have the answers.
- Do I need a will? Absolutely—every solid estate plan involves the drafting of a will. Without one, your estate will pass upon your death according to Illinois laws of intestate succession, giving you no choice in the people or charities you wish to benefit. Your will should also be reviewed periodically and changed when circumstances warrant it—for example, when you marry, have children, divorce or remarry, and upon the death of a beneficiary or the sale of a business.
- Why should I name an executor, or personal representative, to administer my estate? The person you choose as your personal representative takes on significant responsibilities in ensuring your expressed wishes are adhered to when you pass. It’s important to choose someone competent to the task and worthy of your trust—and to appoint a new representative when the need arises.
- How can I maximize the assets I’m leaving to my beneficiaries? By setting up a trust during your lifetime, you can preserve your wealth so that those who stand to benefit—whether family members, other loved ones, or charities of your choice—will receive as much as possible. Trusts may also minimize the tax burden on your estate.
- What is probate, and how does it affect my estate? Probate is the legal process by which a will is determined to be valid or invalid. Depending on the size of your estate, probate court proceedings may be lengthy, costly, and complex. By creating a living or revocable trust during your lifetime and naming a successor trustee to administer it following your death, your estate can avoid probate entirely and offer you the option of privacy that probate, which is public record, does not.
- Do I have to establish a guardian for my minor children or special needs adult child in my will or trust? As a good parent or caregiver, your children’s welfare is paramount. During your lifetime, you endeavor to provide them with everything they need to be healthy and happy and safe. It’s even more important to ensure they’re taken care of in the event of your death, and your will or trust is the vehicle that gives you the chance to appoint someone you trust to do just that.
These are just a few of the most common questions estate planning lawyers are asked. When you decide that it’s time to plan for the future—and the best time to do that is now—our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys are ready to sit down with you and answer all your questions. We then set to work to craft carefully worded legal documents that conform to the laws of the state of Illionois and ensure your assets and loved ones are protected.
Contact us for experienced estate planning guidance in Hoffman Estates
Our estate planning attorneys with Christopher S. Nudo, Attorney at Law have served the residents of Hoffman Estates, preserving their assets and protecting their families. No matter how large or small your estate is, we offer cost-effective legal services targeted to your unique situation that ensure your wishes are upheld and your estate passed on to those of your choosing. It’s never too soon to plan for the future—call us at Christopher S. Nudo, Attorney at Law to schedule an appointment or contact us online.
