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.
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"Kevin was extremely professional, responsive and knowledgeable when I came to him for help. I would definitely recommend O'Flaherty Law!"
Probate is the legal process through which the assets of a deceased individual are distributed to heirs or beneficiaries. It's a critical step in settling estates, whether large or small, and involves validating the deceased’s will, paying off debts, and distributing assets according to the will or Illinois law.
Key Aspects of Probate:
The Johnson family faced the overwhelming task of probating their father’s estate. Without a clear understanding of Illinois probate laws, they were unsure how to proceed. That's when they turned to our probate attorneys for guidance.
Our team meticulously reviewed the estate, valued just over the threshold for a small estate affidavit, necessitating formal probate. As the family navigated their grief, we took on the burden of the probate process, from filing the necessary paperwork to managing creditor claims and distributing assets.
Our Approach Included:
Thanks to our probate attorneys' compassionate and comprehensive approach, the Johnson family could focus on healing, knowing their father's estate was in capable hands.
The probate process can be complex and emotionally taxing, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Our Elgin, IL, probate attorneys are dedicated to providing the compassionate, skilled support you need to ensure your loved one's estate is settled according to their wishes and Illinois law. With our team by your side, you can focus on what truly matters during this difficult time. Reach out to us for guidance and support in managing your probate needs.
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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 FirmI 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?