Oak Park, IL Wills and Trusts Attorney

Estate Planning Lawyer Serving Melrose Park, River Forest, Elmhurst, and Throughout the Area

Wills and trusts are foundational tools for planning an estate, and they are essential to ensuring that your hard-earned assets are protected and passed on to the next generation. Without these tools, the decision on what happens to the assets within your estate may be made by the courts. If you have not yet created a will or a trust to protect your estate, it is important to take action on this sooner rather than later.

For over 30 years, the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C. has created wills and trusts and other important estate planning tools for clients in DuPage County, Cook County, and communities throughout Chicagoland. We understand that each client has a unique set of circumstances, and we take the time to fully understand your needs and goals, so we can create the solution that best accomplishes your objectives. We are responsive, detail-oriented, and focused on providing highly personalized customer service.

Creating a Last Will and Testament

No matter what stage of life you are in, it is important to have a last will and testament. A will gives you the opportunity to specify your final wishes in regards to your assets, as well as care for your minor children. Even if you do not have a significant amount of assets, you should still create a will to tell the court who you want to raise any children you have that are under the age of 18. In the absence of a will, this decision could be made by people who have no idea what your intentions would have been.

Living Wills

A living will, also commonly referred to as an advance health care directive, is a document created to specify your wishes should you become incapacitated and unable to communicate them at a later date. With this directive, you are able to make choices in advance about certain health care procedures you want to be performed, and which ones to skip during end-of-life care. Having this document removes any confusion and helps reduce the emotions among family members when these difficult decisions are made.

Trusts

A trust is a more complicated financial instrument that can be used for multiple purposes (depending on the type). The most common type is called a revocable living trust, and it is most often used to avoid the probate process and ensure that the grantor's assets are passed to the right beneficiaries upon death. There are countless other types of trusts that are created for specific purposes. For example, if you have a child with special needs, a special needs trust can be set up to ensure he/she continues to receive the necessary government benefits after you die.

Contact a Skilled Illinois Estate Planning Lawyer

At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., we work closely with clients to create the right tools to protect and preserve their estate. If you need help with wills and trusts or any other estate planning matter, contact our office today at 708-449-7404 for a free initial consultation.