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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.
Learn how we service your area through our Remote Location Approach.
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 can be overwhelming. A Bloomington Illinois probate attorney, phase by phase, will make it smooth sailing. See the difference of having an experienced attorney to help with your loved one’s estate with both speed and compassion.
Dealing with the aftermath of a loved one’s passing is tough. The legal stuff involved in managing the estate of the deceased is just more stress. That’s where a good Bloomington probate attorney comes in. These attorneys will guide you through the probate process with care and detail no matter what probate issues are involved, so the estate is settled according to the wishes of the deceased.
What is Probate
Probate is the process of proving the will of the deceased, inventorying their assets, paying debts and taxes and then distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries or those named in the will. The process can be complex and varies depending on the size of the estate and the will. Our experienced attorney knows Illinois probate law.
Services by our Illinois Probate Attorney
John, a Bloomington resident, is a great example of how a probate attorney can make a difference during a tough time. John’s father had passed away leaving a small estate and a handwritten will. Overwhelmed by grief and the legal system, John reached out to our Bloomington probate attorney.
The attorney was both fast and compassionate. They took the time to listen to John’s situation, not just give legal advice but also emotional support. The attorney reviewed the will, made sure it was filed properly and guided John through the process of inventorying his father’s assets.
One of the issues John had to deal with was his father’s outstanding debts. His attorney advised him which debts to pay and which to dispute, reducing the estate’s liabilities. They also provided additional legal services by preparing and filing the estate’s tax returns, making estate tax easy.
In the end, thanks to his Bloomington probate attorney’s hard work and experience, John was able to distribute his father’s assets to the beneficiaries sooner than expected. The attorney’s probate knowledge and compassion turned a difficult process into a manageable one.
Probate can be a tough and emotional process. Probate can also include contested estates. But with our experienced and compassionate Bloomington probate attorney, you can navigate these waters smoothly and have your loved one’s wishes respected and estate settled.
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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 Firm207 W. Jefferson St STE 313
Bloomington, IL 61701
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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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