Geneva, IL Estate Planning Attorneys

Dedicated Will, Trust, and Estate Lawyers Serving Clients in Geneva

Estate planning is an important issue that many people and families will need to address. As you consider your family's future, you will need to determine how certain concerns will be handled as you get closer to the end of your life. With a comprehensive estate plan in place, you can decide how you would like your assets to be distributed to your beneficiaries after you die, and you can also address situations where you may become disabled or are no longer able to speak for yourself.

At Serrano Hanson & Hurtado, LLC, we can answer your questions about the best steps you can take when planning for the future. We will work with you to develop a plan that will make your wishes known to your loved ones and address situations where you may become incapacitated.

Estate Planning Tools

The various aspects of estate planning can be complicated, and addressing issues related to the end of life can be emotionally complex. Our attorneys work to ensure that our clients have a full understanding of the methods they can use to make sure their wishes will be followed correctly. We can assist with:

• Wills, which will determine how your estate will be distributed upon your death.
• Trusts, which provide a secure way of transferring your assets to a loved one without involving the courts.
• Deeds/Joint Tenancy, which allow you to transfer real estate in the event of your passing.
• Taxes, including how the state and federal governments will tax your estate after your death and how you can minimize estate taxes.
• Living Wills, which dictate how you want to be treated by medical professionals when you are terminally ill and can no longer speak for yourself.
• Powers of Attorney, which allow you to designate a trusted person who will have decision-making authority to address issues related to your health and finances.

We will work with you to create the legal documents needed to make sure your wishes will be carried out correctly. We can also help you determine the best ways to avoid estate taxes by using trusts, joint tenancy agreements, and other options.

Addressing Probate Concerns

When a comprehensive estate plan has been put in place, an estate can usually be settled efficiently. During the probate process, the executor of the estate will take an inventory of assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute property to beneficiaries. Unfortunately, there are some situations where a person may not have created a will or estate plan, or they may not have updated their estate planning documents following changes in their family's circumstances. In these cases, issues related to the estate may need to be resolved in probate court.

In many cases, probate issues can be addressed ahead of time through the use of trusts, which allow assets to be distributed outside of the probate process. Updating a will or other documents due to life changes such as divorce can also help prevent disputes and legal complications. In addition to helping our clients ensure that their estate plans are up to date, we can help address probate issues, ensuring that the correct procedures are followed and working to resolve concerns in probate court when necessary.

Guardianship

In the event of your passing, you may have very real concerns about making plans for your dependents. When drafting of your will, you can name a legal guardian for your children or adults with special needs in your care. The powers of guardianship extend to the person and the estate, covering daily care and financial decisions, respectively. A guardian can be charged with one or both of these responsibilities, per a judge's approval. In some circumstances, a person may be able to petition for guardianship over an adult who can no longer operate independently. The person in the care of a legally appointed guardian is referred to as a ward.

Note that any claim for guardianship must be taken to court, and any potential guardian must be at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and a lawful resident of the country. Our attorneys can assist clients with any issues of guardianship, whether as a ward or guardian.

Meet With a Devoted Geneva, Illinois Estate Planning Lawyer Today

As you make decisions about the end of your life and how financial and medical issues will be handled, you will need assistance from an attorney you can trust. If you attempt to create a will on your own, you may fail to address certain details, and your loved ones may have trouble carrying out your instructions. At Serrano Hanson & Hurtado, LLC, we will take the time to understand your goals, and we will help you determine the best steps you can take to achieve them. If you need help creating a comprehensive estate plan, or if you want to make updates to documents to ensure that your wishes will be followed, contact us at 630-844-8781 to set up a consultation.

The lawyers at Serrano Hanson & Hurtado, LLC assist clients with estate planning issues in Kane, DeKalb, DuPage, and Kendall, including Batavia, St. Charles, South Elgin, and Campton Hills.