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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!"
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You are working hard to build a safe future for yourself and your family. But what happens to your home, savings and other assets if you are no longer able to manage them? Without a proper estate plan, critical choices about your property and loved ones may be decided by Illinois law and the courts.
Our Oak Park estate planning attorneys at O’Flaherty Law help individuals and families take control of their future. We offer practical legal advice for your needs, whether you are writing your first will, creating a living trust or updating your existing estate plan.
We help clients from Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and surrounding Cook County communities plan in a way that reflects their wishes, protects their interests and gives peace of mind.
Estate planning is not only for the wealthy or for retirees. A plan can be beneficial for anyone that owns property, has children or would like to have a vote in future health care and financial decisions.
A well-drafted estate plan allows you to control who will inherit your assets, who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, and how your loved ones will be supported after your death.
If you do not have an estate plan, Illinois intestacy laws will generally govern the distribution of assets subject to those laws. This may not be in line with your personal wishes or your family situation.
Working with an Oak Park estate planning lawyer can help avoid needless uncertainty in the future and provide a clear path forward for the people you care about.
Every family has different financial circumstances, relationships, and long-term goals. Our estate planning lawyers help clients evaluate their options and create legal documents designed to address their individual needs.
Our estate planning services include:
Our goal is to help you develop a comprehensive estate plan that addresses your concerns without making the process unnecessarily complicated.
One of the most common questions people ask an estate planning attorney is whether they need a will, a trust, or both.
A last will and testament allows you to specify who should inherit your property, appoint an executor, and nominate a guardian for minor children. However, assets transferred through a will may still require probate.
A revocable living trust provides another way to manage and distribute assets. When properly established and funded, a trust can allow certain property to pass to beneficiaries outside the probate process.
Many Illinois estate plans use both documents together. The appropriate approach depends on your assets, family circumstances, and goals.
Our Oak Park wills and trusts attorneys can explain these options and help you determine which documents may be appropriate for your situation.
Estate planning isn't only about what happens after death. It's also about protecting yourself if illness, injury, or incapacity prevents you from managing your affairs.
A financial power of attorney allows someone you trust to handle designated financial matters on your behalf. A healthcare power of attorney allows an appointed agent to make medical decisions when you cannot make them yourself.
Without appropriate planning, loved ones may need to seek court-appointed guardianship to make certain decisions.
Establishing these documents in advance can help reduce uncertainty and make difficult situations easier for your family to manage.
Probate is the court-supervised process of administering certain assets after someone passes away. Depending on the estate, probate may involve court filings, creditor claims, asset distribution, and other legal requirements.
For some families, avoiding or minimizing probate is an important estate planning goal.
Our Oak Park estate planning attorneys help clients explore options such as living trusts, beneficiary designations, and other lawful methods of transferring assets outside probate.
While not every estate can or should avoid probate entirely, thoughtful planning may reduce delays, expenses, and administrative responsibilities for surviving family members.
An estate plan should change as your life changes.
Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, purchasing a home, or experiencing a significant financial change can all create reasons to review your documents.
Even if your family circumstances remain the same, changes in Illinois estate planning laws or tax rules may affect your existing arrangements.
Regular reviews help ensure your plan continues to reflect your wishes and current circumstances.
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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 FirmAt O’Flaherty Law, we believe every case tells a story. This is the story of Susan, a recently widowed grandmother and retired elementary school teacher, who came to us at one of the most vulnerable points in her life. After losing her husband of nearly 40 years, Susan was left facing not only emotional grief but a maze of outdated legal documents and unanswered questions about the future of her estate.
She wasn’t looking for legal jargon or overwhelming paperwork. She wanted peace of mind. She wanted to know her kids wouldn’t fight over her home, that her grandkids would be taken care of, and if anything happened to her, someone she trusted could speak for her. Susan needed guidance and a plan.
When Susan contacted our intake team, she was overwhelmed and unsure if her old estate plan would still work for her family. Years ago, she and her husband had executed a basic will that named each other as beneficiaries. At the time, it was enough. But now that he was gone and her financial picture had changed significantly—with new retirement accounts, refinancing on her home, and grandkids to consider—she knew she needed help making sure everything was in order.
Her biggest fear was probate. She had recently watched her best friend go through a long court process after a family member passed away. Susan didn’t want her kids to go through the same confusion and expense. She was also deeply committed to setting aside funds for her grandkids' education and wanted to make sure her daughter, a nurse, would be legally able to make health decisions if needed.
From the very beginning, our team of attorneys listened. We asked questions about her family dynamics, financial priorities, and medical preferences. Susan shared stories about her kids, her late husband, and the values she wanted to pass on. These conversations weren’t just helpful—they were essential to creating a plan that truly reflected her wishes.
We started by reviewing Susan’s existing documents. Her will didn’t account for changes in home ownership, new retirement savings, or updated beneficiary designations. We explained how a revocable living trust could help her avoid probate entirely and give her family a faster, more private way to inherit assets.
Once she was comfortable with the plan, we created a living trust and transferred her primary assets—her home, checking and savings accounts, and investment portfolio—into it. We also drafted a new will that would “pour over” any remaining assets into the trust at her passing. We covered all her bases.
Next we addressed incapacity planning. We prepared updated powers of attorney for both healthcare and finances and named her daughter as her primary agent. We worked with Susan to notify her doctors and banks of the changes so her daughter would face no delays if ever called to step in.
Throughout the process, we stayed in close contact. Every document was explained in plain English. Every concern was addressed. Susan left each meeting more confident and at ease.
In just under two months, Susan had a fully updated and legally sound estate plan. Her assets were now protected within a trust, her kids had clear guidance on her wishes, and her grandkids were included in education provisions.
When it was all done, Susan told us she felt like a weight had been lifted. She no longer feared what would happen if something unexpected occurred. She had confidence that her family would be taken care of and her legacy would carry forward.
Estate planning isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about protecting what matters most. Susan’s case reminds us that peace of mind doesn’t come from complexity. It comes from clarity, compassion, and thoughtful preparation.
This case is also a testament to our approach. We don’t use cookie-cutter documents or rush clients through a checklist. We take the time to understand our clients’ stories, offer meaningful guidance, and provide legal support that makes a difference in their lives.
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!
A living trust can hold the beneficial interest in a land trust, offering a way to manage real estate while protecting your family's future. Learn how combining these trusts can help maintain privacy, simplify property management, and allow assets to transfer to beneficiaries without probate.
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