Arlington Heights Estate Planning Lawyer
Estate Planning Attorney in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Take charge of your legacy today; contact us to start building an estate plan that provides peace of mind and protection for your loved ones.
Planning for how your assets are handled after you are gone can be a crucial step in supporting your loved ones and protecting your legacy. Whether you are interested in making a will, trust, or any other estate plan, an Arlington Heights estate planning lawyer can help you take proactive action and create an estate plan that fits your requirements.
About Nowling Law, LLC
Nowling Law, LLC is a local law firm that has assisted the people of Arlington Heights, St. Charles, Naperville, and cities throughout Northeast Illinois for years with their estate planning cases. Attorney Scott Nowling has over four decades of experience handling a range of high-value estate planning matters. He served as District Manager for a Fortune 50 company before opening his practice, giving him extensive financial knowledge and skills.
Arlington Heights
Practice Areas
What Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is a term that refers to any formal document that details how you wish for your property to be handled after you are incapacitated or die. Estate plans can be used to manage accounts, transfer ownership of real estate or business, custody of a minor child, and determine how personal belongings are distributed.
The most common type of estate plan is a will, with 24% of Americans surveyed in 2025 reporting having a valid living will. Other proactive measures include 13% having a living trust, and 4% having other estate planning documents. No estate plan was the majority, comprising 59% of respondents. Many without arrangements recognized the importance, with 43% with no estate documents stating that they simply had not gotten to making a plan.
Types of Estate Planning Cases
Estate planning cases can include many different elements. The exact plan and fitting structures change on a case-by-case basis. The following are a few documents that Nowling Law, LLC can aid in creating:
Wills
Wills are a central component of most estate plans. In Illinois, they must be written and signed by the creator and two witnesses. They are primarily utilized to dictate how your assets are distributed, funeral and burial instructions, and custody arrangements for minor children. Most wills must go through probate. Most Arlington Heights probate cases are handled at the Richard J. Daley Center, located at 50 West Washington Street in Chicago.
Trusts
Trusts can be an important element to any estate plan. They are legally distinct entities from the creator that they can put property into. Trusts offer greater control over assets compared to wills. The most common structure is a revocable living trust. These can involve continuous asset management during the grantor’s lifetime with ongoing investments and changes. Unlike a will, a revocable trust can take effect before death if the grantor is incapacitated.
Transferable on Death Instruments
Transferable on Death Instruments (TODI) are specific estate documents used to transfer ownership of real property outside of a will or trust. Unlike other estate plans, TODIs must be submitted to the County Recorder before the property owner’s passing. Additional requirements for TODIs include two witness signatures and all elements of an inter vivos deed.
Hire an Arlington Heights Estate Planning Lawyer to Secure Your Wishes
Taking proactive measures for your wealth management can be a confusing undertaking for those with little knowledge of finance and estate law. Hire an estate planning lawyer to guide you through the proceedings. Your Arlington Heights estate planning attorney can provide estate plan options, organize your assets, draft documents, and make modifications as circumstances shift.
FAQs About Arlington Heights , IL Estate Planning Laws
How Much Does an Estate Lawyer Cost in Illinois?
How much your Illinois estate lawyer costs is based on the type of aid you require, the stage you need assistance, and the total workload for the firm. Someone who wants help in finishing a simple will typically pays less than someone who needs aid organizing assets and determining a plan. Another contributing factor is the pricing model, with different attorneys using flat fees for specific services, retainer expenses for ongoing aid, or hourly rates.
What Are the Benefits of a Revocable Trust Over a Will?
Revocable trusts in Illinois estate planning cases provide many benefits over a will. One key upside is that they avoid probate regardless of whether an estate is worth more than $150,000. Another feature of revocable trusts over wills is greater flexibility.
Trusts offer additional control over your property and can include detailed instructions for their management. The third advantage of trusts is that they can take effect when you are incapacitated. Wills only apply after your passing.
How Long Does an Estate Planning Case Take to Finalize in Illinois?
The length of your Illinois estate planning case depends on a wide range of variables, such as the value of your assets, the type of plan, and any existing complexities in laying out your wishes. A simple will focused on one or two items may be completed rather quickly, while an estate matter involving multiple interlocking trusts can take a long time. Your attorney can provide a rough timeline for making your estate plan in an initial consultation.
What Is the Difference Between an Estate Planning Lawyer and a Probate Lawyer in Illinois?
One common confusion among people seeking legal counsel in Illinois is the difference between an estate planning lawyer and a probate lawyer. The main distinction between the types of attorneys is the stage they focus on. Probate lawyers are primarily centered on assisting clients with what happens after death. Estate planning legal counsel focuses on helping people take preventive measures to protect their wishes before an incident.
Speak With an Arlington Heights Estate Planning Lawyer Today
At Nowling Law, LLC, we know that no one wants to think about death. Our team is here to help you take proactive action now that can protect your legacy and ease your loved one’s worries while they grieve.
Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation, where we can learn the key assets or guidelines you wish to formalize, explore various estate plans that can fit your goals, and prepare you for the future. You may also pay a visit to our Rolling Meadows office, located on Tollview Drive, a block east of the Interstate 90 and State Road 53 junction, south of Rolling Meadows Historical Museum and High School, and north of Busse Woods.
Client Success Stories
Hiring a lawyer can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. From the moment you contact our firm, through the final resolution of your matter, our goal is to make the process easy and understandable.