Find out what you need to do to make sure your family and assets are taken care of in the event of your death.

I will provide a customized plan for your situation. My services include:

Estate Planning Services

Do I really need an estate plan?

I am often asked by clients, "Do I need an estate plan?"  The short answer for anyone over 18 years old is yes!  However, the scope and complexity of your estate plan will vary greatly depending on your circumstances.  Those with significant assets, who are married or have children, who have their own businesses or who have serious health concerns, absolutely should consider one of the estate planning packages below.  Young, healthy individuals with relatively few assets, little debt and no children should still consider a Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney/Advance Directive (see pricing below).  

Each of the estate planning packages below includes a one-hour initial consultation where I will gather information to determine the appropriate plan and a one-hour final consultation where I will explain the material provisions of your documents.  In addition, I will provide instructions for executing and storing your documents and a list of events that will require updating your documents.  I also will contact you periodically (at least once per year) to inquire as to any life changes and let you know about developments in the law that may affect your plan.  

Contact me to schedule your initial consultation.  In advance of our meeting, I will ask you to fill out a questionnaire that includes all the information I will need to determine the appropriate estate planning package and prepare your documents.  In addition to streamlining the preparation process, the completed questionnaire will serve as a valuable resource for you in the future.  

Estate planning feels daunting for most people, but don't wait until you are ready to contact me.  You may never feel ready, but the peace and sense of control, organization and accomplishment you will feel once we are done is absolutely worth it.

My services include for each person:

  • Simple Estate Plan - $900 for an Individual/$1,300 per Couple or Family*

    • Will

    • Durable Power of Attorney

    • Health Care Power of Attorney/Advance Directive (Living Will)

  • Living Trust Plan or Simple Estate Plan with Tax Planning - $1,800 for an Individual/$2,500 per Couple or Family*

    • Revocable Trust and Pour Over Will/Will

    • Durable Power of Attorney

    • Health Care Power of Attorney/Advance Directive (Living Will)

The Living Trust Plan is for those who have substantial assets that will be subject to probate. In Illinois, estates with less than $100,000 in personal property may be eligible for a simplified probate or affidavit procedure.  In Iowa, estates with less than $25,000 in personal property may be eligible for distribution of property by affidavit. 

The Simple Estate Plan with Tax Planning is for those who have assets that may be subject to federal and/or state estate taxes.  Estates with assets greater than (or near) the applicable tax exemption(s) should consider strategies to avoid estate taxes.  The current federal estate tax exemption is $11.2 million dollars and the Illinois estate tax exemption currently is $4 million.  Iowa does not have an estate tax but does impose an inheritance tax for certain beneficiaries receiving more than $25,000.  Tax strategies may involve the use of QTIP trusts, "bypass" trusts or generation skipping tax planning.

We will work together to ensure that many of your assets will pass to your beneficiaries outside of your estate.  Assets like bank accounts, certain retirement or investment accounts, insurance proceeds and even real estate owned in joint tenancy will not pass to your beneficiaries through your estate and, thus, will not be subject to probate.  So, for most people, a simple estate plan is adequate.  However, it is important that we examine each of your assets to ensure they will pass outside your estate to the desired beneficiary.

  • Living Trust Plan with Tax Planning - $3,350 - $4,650 per Couple or Family*

    • Revocable Trust and Pour Over Will/Will

    • Durable Power of Attorney

    • Health Care Power of Attorney/Advance Directive (Living Will)

The Living Trust Plan with Tax Planning is for couples and families who have assets that may be subject to federal and/or state estate taxes and who wish to avoid probate.  

  • Other Estate Planning Services

    • Health Care Power of Attorney/Advance Directive (Living Will) - $400 (includes 20 minute initial and final consultations)

    • Durable Power of Attorney - $200 (includes 15 minute initial and final consultations)

    • Asset Transfers to a Trust - $325/hr. or $75 per deed

    • Pet Protection Trust - $400 (includes 20 minute initial and final consultations)

Note:  The estate planning packages above do not include signing, storing or filing (if necessary) the documents or any associated fees.  However, I will provide you with instructions for these tasks.  I may make recommendations regarding your bank and investment accounts, debt and insurance policies.  You will be responsible for implementing these changes.

* "Family" includes any individual or couple with one or more children.