Attorney for Wills & Trusts
Secure Your Family’s Future: Experienced Estate Planning in Chicago
Planning for the future can be overwhelming, but ensuring your loved ones are protected and your assets are distributed according to your wishes shouldn’t be.
At Marshiano Law Group, our experienced Chicago estate planning attorneys are dedicated to guiding you through the complexities of wills and trusts, providing peace of mind for you and your family’s future. With over 25 years of experience and more than $1B in facilitated transactions, Attorney Tony Marshiano delivers experience and professionalism in crafting comprehensive estate plans.
“Tony took the time to understand my complex family situation and created a trust that addressed all my concerns. His attention to detail and genuine care for my family’s future was evident throughout the process. I finally have peace of mind knowing everything is properly organized.”
– Mark D., Chicago
(Google Review)
Why Choose Marshiano Law Group for Wills & Trusts in Chicago?
Our Chicago-based estate planning lawyers provide personalized and compassionate legal counsel, ensuring your will or trust accurately reflects your intentions. We believe in:
Understanding Your Needs: We take the time to listen and understand your unique family dynamics, financial situation, and estate planning goals.
Crafting Comprehensive Documents: Our attorneys meticulously draft wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents tailored to your specific needs, ensuring your wishes are legally sound and enforceable.
Protecting Your Legacy: We help you navigate complex estate matters, including minimizing tax liabilities, planning for incapacity, and providing for beneficiaries with special needs.
Providing Ongoing Support: Our legal team is here for you beyond the initial drafting process, offering guidance and updates as your life circumstances change.
Have your wishes known and followed when it matters most.
Our Comprehensive Will & Trust Services Include:
Last Will and Testament
Your will is the foundation of your estate plan, directing how your assets should be distributed and naming guardians for minor children. Our Chicago wills attorneys craft legally sound wills that:
- Clearly express your wishes regarding asset distribution
- Name an executor to manage your estate
- Designate guardians for minor children
- Provide instructions for pet care
- Include specific bequests for cherished possessions
- Create testamentary trusts when appropriate
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust allows you to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime while providing for seamless asset management if you become incapacitated and efficient distribution after your passing. Benefits include:
- Probate avoidance for assets transferred to the trust
- Privacy preservation (unlike wills, trusts are not public records)
- Seamless asset management during incapacity
- Potential tax advantages
- Flexibility to modify terms during your lifetime
Irrevocable Trusts
These specialized trusts serve specific purposes like asset protection, tax planning, or providing for beneficiaries with special needs. Our attorneys design irrevocable trusts including:
- Special Needs Trusts
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
- Asset Protection Trusts
- Charitable Trusts
- Generation-Skipping Trusts
Pour-Over Wills
We thoroughly examine title reports to uncover any potential issues that could affect your ownership rights. As a licensed title agent, Attorney Marshiano has specialized knowledge in this crucial aspect of real estate transactions and can help secure appropriate title insurance protection.
Essential Supporting Documents
Our comprehensive estate plans include critical documents beyond wills and trusts:
- Durable Power of Attorney: Designates a trusted individual to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable to do so
- Healthcare Power of Attorney: Appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot
- Living Will/Advanced Healthcare Directive: Outlines your wishes for medical treatment if you’re unable to communicate
- HIPAA Authorizations: Ensures your chosen representatives can access your medical information when needed
- Property Transfer Documents: Ensures proper funding of your trust with your assets
Common Questions About Wills and Trusts
Do I Need a Will or a Trust?
Many people wonder whether they need a will or a trust, but this isn’t an either/or question. Most comprehensive estate plans include both:
Will Benefits:
- Names guardians for minor children
- Directs distribution of assets not placed in trust
- Names your executor
- Can create testamentary trusts
Trust Benefits:
- Avoids probate
- Provides privacy
- Enables management during incapacity
- Can reduce estate taxes
- Can provide long-term asset management
During your consultation, we’ll help determine the optimal combination of estate planning tools for your specific situation.
What Happens Without a Will or Trust?
Without proper estate planning documents, Illinois state law determines:
- Who receives your assets (which may not match your wishes)
- Who will be guardian of your minor children
- Who will administer your estate
Additionally, your estate will go through probate — a public, sometimes lengthy and costly court process.
When Should I Update My Will or Trust?
Your estate plan should be reviewed periodically, especially after major life events such as:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of children
- Death of a beneficiary or executor
- Significant changes in assets
- Moving to a different state
- Changes in tax laws
- Every 3-5 years regardless of life changes
At Marshiano Law Group, we offer estate plan review services to ensure your documents remain current and effective.
Client Testimonials
“After putting off estate planning for years, Attorney Marshiano made the process straightforward and even educational. He explained everything in terms I could understand and created a trust that perfectly addressed my concerns about providing for my children. The peace of mind is immeasurable.”
Jennifer L., Chicago
“Tony helped us navigate complex trust planning for our blended family. His patience and expertise were evident throughout the process, and he found solutions to concerns we didn’t even know we had. His background in both law and business made all the difference in creating a comprehensive plan.”
Michael and Sarah T., Oak Park
The Wills and Trusts Process with Marshiano Law Group
Creating your estate plan with our Chicago will and trust attorneys is straightforward and thorough:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We begin with a comprehensive consultation to understand your family situation, assets, and goals. This allows us to recommend the most appropriate estate planning tools for your specific needs.
2. Information Gathering
We’ll guide you through providing the necessary information about your assets, beneficiaries, and wishes. This thorough approach ensures your estate plan addresses all aspects of your situation.
3. Document Creation
Our experienced attorneys draft your customized estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
4. Document Review
We carefully review all documents with you, explaining each provision in clear, understandable language and making any necessary adjustments to ensure your plan perfectly matches your wishes.
5. Document Execution
We guide you through the proper signing and witnessing of all documents according to Illinois law, ensuring everything is legally valid and enforceable.
6. Trust Funding (if applicable)
If your plan includes trusts, we provide guidance on properly transferring assets into your trust—a critical step many attorneys overlook.
7. Secure Storage and Ongoing Support
We provide guidance on secure storage of your documents and remain available for periodic reviews and updates as your life circumstances change.
Why Choose Marshiano Law Group for Your Chicago Wills and Trusts?
Unparalleled Experience
With over 25 years of experience in estate planning and business transactions, Attorney Tony Marshiano brings exceptional professionalism to every client relationship. Having facilitated more than $1B in transactions throughout his career, he understands the complex interplay of assets and legal strategies.
Award-Winning Representation
We’ve been recognized among the Top 1% of Chicago Real Estate Attorneys by Expertise.com (2021-2024) and maintain an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, reflecting our commitment to excellence.
Comprehensive Approach
As both an attorney and business professional, Tony Marshiano offers a unique perspective that encompasses all aspects of your financial life. This holistic approach ensures that your estate plan works in harmony with your overall financial goals.
Personalized Attention
We take the time to understand your unique needs and family dynamics. Your estate plan will be tailored specifically to your situation, not based on generic templates.
Plain Language Communication
We explain complex legal concepts in clear, understandable terms, ensuring you fully comprehend every aspect of your estate plan.
Never compromise when it comes to your family and your legacy. Schedule a consultation with our experienced wills and trusts attorney in Chicago, IL. We’re here to protect what matters most and provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wills and Trusts in Illinois
Want answers to your specific estate planning questions?
Whether you need a basic will or a comprehensive trust-based estate plan, Marshiano Law Group is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward protecting your family’s future.
Contact Us
Want answers to your specific estate planning questions? Schedule a consultation with Attorney Tony Marshiano to get direct answers tailored to your unique family needs.
We are more than just attorneys; we’re your trusted partners in creating an estate plan that provides peace of mind and protects your legacy.
