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Finding an attorney who is a “real person” can be difficult. Many attorneys surround themselves almost exclusively with other attorneys and are accustomed to speaking in ivory tower legalese. You should be able to connect with your attorney on a personal level, and he or she should speak to you in plain language that you can understand. You will be working very closely with this person on issues that are very important to you. It is important that he or she be down-to-earth and someone that you connect with.
The most common complaint that clients have of their attorneys is that the attorney is unreachable, does not communicate with them regularly, or does not promptly return your calls. Your attorney should reach out to you about your case regularly and respond within 24 hours to calls and e-mails. An open line of communication between you and your attorney is essential to building trust.
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Your attorney’s goal should not be to win at all costs. Rather, it should be to achieve a favorable outcome for you as efficiently as possible. It is important that your attorney set realistic expectations at the outset as to the costs you should expect, the concerns that the attorney has about the outcome of your case, and the length of time that you should expect your case to take.
Regardless of the nature of your case, we have an experienced attorney who will focus on your individual needs. Our team of attorneys works closely together, bringing each of their different fields of experience to bear in order to optimize our client care.
Kevin's firm handled setting up my will and trust recently. They took something that seemed intimidating and made it easy to understand. I've also referred a couple clients to Kevin - he's trustworthy, approachable and very fairly priced.
"I've used Kevin and his firm's services since 2011. He gave undivided attention to my cases, advised me on different options and..."
"Kevin was extremely professional, responsive and knowledgeable when I came to him for help. I would definitely recommend O'Flaherty Law!"
Probate is a legal process required in every state after someone dies, especially if they have a last will and testament. This process often involves proceedings in probate court, which handles the legal aspects of settling the estate. This process validates the will, appoints an executor, and makes sure the decedent’s assets are distributed according to their wishes. For Arlington Heights, IL residents, the process is handled by the nearest circuit court and involves several steps: notifying creditors, paying debts, and managing the estate’s assets. Probate can be complicated and often requires the help of a probate attorney, especially in cases of large estates or disputes.
John, an Arlington Heights resident, was the executor of his uncle’s estate. His uncle had a clear will but the estate had a lot of assets and debts. It was only with the help of a probate attorney that John was able to navigate the probate process efficiently and make sure all obligations were met and assets were distributed correctly. The probate attorney-assisted John with the estate administration, ensuring all legal responsibilities were met. That’s what probate attorneys do in times of need.
When looking for a Probate Attorney, costs are a big consideration. Probate Attorney Costs in Arlington Heights vary depending on the complexity of the estate and the amount of legal work involved. The costs can also vary depending on the range of legal services required, such as probate actions, estate planning, and guardianship. Be sure to discuss fees upfront so you know what you’re getting into. A good probate attorney will give you clear and transparent pricing and tailor their services to your needs.
Many people wonder if they can avoid probate. The answer is yes, under certain circumstances such as having a living trust, small estates, named beneficiaries on financial accounts, or jointly owned property. Non-probate assets, such as those held in trusts or jointly owned properties, can be transferred directly to beneficiaries without going through probate. Planning with these strategies in mind can simplify or even eliminate probate. That’s why early and effective estate planning is so important.
Our lawyers and paralegals have experience with the intricacies of your legal matter but also consider how other areas of law impact your case. We often think of angles that an attorney with experience in only one area of practice wouldn’t. Our law office provides comprehensive legal representation in various areas, including estate planning and probate.
Some legal issues are quick and need to be done fast. You want those done fast and at the lowest cost possible. But for more involved cases we take the time to get it right and work hard to get the result you want. Complex cases often require specialized legal assistance to navigate the intricacies of the law.
Many of our legal clients have complained that their last firm just didn’t have the resources or expertise to handle their case. Our attorneys regularly confer with each other across the firm, getting input from several lawyers without the extra cost. Our law offices work together to provide comprehensive legal solutions for our clients.
Our skills and experience span decades and many practice areas. We want to be your one-stop legal solution for the community. When you have a legal question, we want to be the first firm you think of because you know you can count on us to have the answer or know the next best solution. We also specialize in trust administration, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements during the management and distribution of assets placed in a trust.
No one wants to be in the dark about what’s going on with their case. Part of our core practice model is to keep our clients informed about their cases. We also ensure that our clients are updated on the preparation and status of their estate planning documents.
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The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.
Schedule a ConsultationLearn More About The Firm415 W Golf Rd STE 55-N, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
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I am personally committed to ensuring that each one of our clients receives the highest level of client service from our team. Our mission is to provide excellent legal work in a cost-effective manner while maintaining open lines of communication between our clients and their attorneys. Many of our clients are going through difficult times in their lives when they reach out to us. They should feel comfortable leaning on the experience and knowledge of our attorneys as their counselors and advocates. We are here to help!
The necessity for probate in Illinois primarily depends on two factors: the overall value of probate assets and how they were titled by the deceased individual. If an estate exceeds $100,000 in total worth (including any items specifically bequeathed through a will or distributed under intestacy laws), then probate proceedings are typically required. If real estate is part of those assets – unless ownership was structured via joint tenancy arrangements like tenancy by entirety or living/successor beneficiary trusts – then it must go through formal succession procedures.
Read more about When Is Probate Necessary in Illinois?
Probate is not always bad, but in a lot of situations it makes sense to avoid it if possible. In a probate case, the executor must give notice to creditors and heirs. Creditors then have 6 months to file claims with the executor and/or the court. Other interested parties will also have the chance to oversee and challenge the executor’s actions. To this end, the executor must prepare reports for creditors and heirs showing which assets were collected and how they will be distributed.
Read more about Can You Avoid Probate By Having a Will in Illinois?
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