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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A well thought out estate plan gives you more control over who inherits your assets and who will be responsible for important duties when you die. It can also provide loved ones with more certainty during a difficult time. At O’Flaherty Law, we help individuals and families in Des Plaines draft wills, trusts and other documents that reflect their situation and desires.
A will can name beneficiaries, name an executor and suggest a guardian for minor children. Under Illinois law, a will must generally be in writing, signed by the person making it, and witnessed by at least two credible witnesses. A trust is another estate-planning tool. It can hold property and distribute it according to detailed instructions. A trust can also pass some property outside of probate, depending on the plan's structure and how assets are titled.
Estate planning is more than simply choosing documents. Your plan should address your family relationships, real estate, financial accounts, business interests, beneficiary designations, and future concerns. O’Flaherty Law takes a practical, personalized approach to explain your options in easy-to-understand terms and help you develop a coordinated plan. We can also review an existing will or trust if your family, finances or goals have shifted.
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.
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!

Yes, in a lot of cases. A Trust generally only controls property that has been properly transferred or titled into the name of the Trust. A pour-over will allows certain remaining assets to go into the trust after death, and can also name an executor or suggest a guardian for minor children. An attorney can help figure out how the will, trust, and beneficiary designations should work together.
In general, a person may give different amounts of property to children or other beneficiaries. However, if the documents are ambiguous or seem inconsistent with the rest of the estate plan, unequal distributions could create confusion or conflict. Good drafting and careful documentation can help to convey your intentions and reduce the risk of a later dispute.
Review your estate plan when major life events occur such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a beneficiary or fiduciary, a significant change in assets or a move to another state. Periodic reviews can help ensure that your documents, asset ownership and beneficiary designations still reflect your wishes, even without a major event.