Rolling Meadows Wills Lawyer
Wills Attorney in Rolling Meadows, 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.
At Nowling Law, LLC, we understand that estate planning goes beyond just creating legal documents. It’s about securing your family’s future, protecting your assets, and ensuring your wishes are respected. With a well-structured estate plan, you can provide clear guidance for your loved ones during difficult transitions, giving both you and your heirs peace of mind.
Wills Attorney in Rolling Meadows, IL
When thinking about your estate plan, a last will and testament may be the first thing on your mind. Wills are the foundation of any estate plan, clearly outlining your wishes for how your assets are to be divided after your death. It’s crucial to seek the advice and knowledge of a dedicated Rolling Meadows wills lawyer when beginning your estate plan.
At Nowling Law, LLC, we have decades of knowledge and experience serving clients in Rolling Meadows and throughout the Cook County metro. As a family-owned law firm, we dedicate our practice to crafting solid, comprehensive estate plans that protect your assets for generations to come. Drafting a will may seem daunting, but we strive to make the process as straightforward as possible, giving you confidence and peace of mind.
The Purpose of a Will
In America, only 24% of adults have a will, and of those who do, only 23% of them have had their documents updated since they were created. A will is the most essential document for appointing guardians for your children. While trusts protect the financial assets you wish to pass down to your children, a will protects your children’s well-being and secures guardianship with the person of your choice.
Without a will, if you pass away while your child is a minor, the question of guardianship becomes a matter for the courts to decide. This is a scenario no parent wants their child to face, so it’s vital to have a will when you are the parent of young children.
Even if you are not a parent, or your children are grown and independent, a will protects the distribution of your assets. If you die in the state of Illinois without a will, the disposition of your estate falls to the probate courts, who must adhere to the laws of succession, which may not align with your wishes.
A will, when paired with a revocable trust, is one of the most secure documents you can create to give yourself and your family peace of mind.
Rolling Meadows
Practice Areas
Key Components of a Valid Will in Illinois
In Illinois, wills must follow the strict guidelines set forth in the Probate Act of 1975. Under these guidelines, a valid will:
- Is established by a testator of at least 18 years of age.
- The testator must be of sound mind.
- Two disinterested witnesses must sign the will.
- The testator must sign the will themselves, or a proxy may be designated.
- Holographic wills are not valid in Illinois, which means that a will drafted and signed without witnesses is not valid. However, a handwritten will that follows all of the above requirements can be considered valid by the probate courts.
While it may be tempting to create a will on your own, the advice of a qualified wills attorney can prevent costly mistakes or omissions that might compromise your assets during review by the probate courts. All wills in Rolling Meadows must be validated and dispensed by the Cook County Third Municipal Court. When you hire a wills lawyer to draft your will, you’ve helped secure the validity of one of the most important pieces of any estate plan.
Probate Process in Illinois
Following a decedent’s death, a petition is filed to open a probate case in the Cook County Third Municipal Court. So long as the court determines that the will is valid, the probate process can be relatively streamlined and administered independently, depending on the complexity of the estate.
Wills are a matter of public record, however, and this can open up probate proceedings to contest. Any person who feels as if they have a claim on the decedent’s estate can challenge the will. This is where a revocable trust can offer the most protection from probate proceedings, and is often established in tandem with a will to cover all potential issues that might arise during the dispensation of your estate in Rolling Meadows.
FAQs About Rolling Meadows Wills Laws
How Much Does a Lawyer Charge for a Will in Illinois?
The cost of a can depends on the complexity of the estate, the value of your assets, and the experience level of the attorney. The estate planning process can have several steps, incorporating a variety of documents, so it’s vital to speak to a qualified estate planning lawyer who knows Illinois will laws.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Illinois?
While Illinois does allow handwritten wills, so long as they fulfill the requirements set forth in the Probate Act of 1975, it is advisable to consult with a wills lawyer to help solidify your understanding of the law and to properly address all aspects of your estate. An experienced lawyer can make sure your will meets all legal criteria in order to prevent contention.
What Are the Types of Wills?
The main types of wills are:
- A simple will, which addresses property distribution and who you choose as guardian for your children
- A joint will, which functions much the same as a simple will but includes two people, usually a married couple
- A testamentary will, usually part of a larger estate plan that creates a trust when you die
- A living will, which appoints a proxy for medical decisions if you are incapacitated.
Do I Need a Trust if I Already Have a Will?
Most estate plans can benefit from a trust that works in concert with a will. While a will is vital for establishing guardianship of your children and stating your wishes for your estate, a trust addresses the financial aspects of your estate, protecting your assets from outside interference and probate, enabling a smooth transfer of assets to your beneficiaries after your death.
Hire a Wills Lawyer You Can Trust
At Nowling Law, LLC, we have dedicated our practice to helping families avoid lengthy probate cases with our strategic, comprehensive estate planning packages. Whether you need a will, a trust, or any other estate planning document, we’re here to answer your questions and ease your mind about the future.
Don’t wait to begin this important process. Contact us today to book your initial call.
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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.