Addison, Illinois Wills Attorneys

Creating a Will

When most people think of estate planning, they think of making a will. Wills are essential components of many estate plans. These legal documents communicate your wishes for how your assets will be divided amongst your beneficiaries and who will care for your dependent loved ones. To ensure a will properly expresses your wishes and stands up to legal scrutiny, an experienced estate planning attorney is essential. Our experienced estate planning attorneys are skilled in creating wills that are both effective and legally enforceable.

When most people think of estate planning, they making a will. wills are essential components many plans. these legal documents communicate your wishes for how assets will be divided amongst beneficiaries and who care dependent loved ones. to ensure properly expresses stands up scrutiny, an experienced planning attorney is essential. our attorneys skilled in creating that both effective legally enforceable.

A will is a legal document with a set of instructions that specifies what should happen to your money, possessions, and your dependents upon your death. The cost of making a will cannot compare to the peace of mind you will provide to loved ones during this difficult time.  A will has a number of functions, including:

• Names beneficiaries and how to distribute the assets among them
• The name of the executor of your estate - an executor is in charge of ensuring the terms of the will are carried out properly
• The name of who you choose to be guardian for your children
• The name of who you place in charge to manage your dependent’s property
• Waive the requirement that the executor obtain a surety of the bond (this alone may save thousands of dollars).

At Knauf Law, we are highly experienced in helping clients execute their wills and ensure that your estate is clearly placed into your beneficiaries’ hands. We will carefully guide you through the estate planning process and make sure your final wishes are clearly expressed.

Executing a Will in Illinois

No matter what your financial or personal circumstances, every adult (anyone over 18) should have a will. A will provides the people you love to have clear instructions for how your assets and personal belongings will be handled when you die. Without a valid will, the court will make these important and extremely personal decisions on its own. This often leads to unnecessary family discord and expense and creates added strain on family members already grieving your loss.

In order for a will to be legal in Illinois, the testator testatrix must be of sound mind when the will is signed. Additionally, two witnesses who are not beneficiaries of the will must be present when the will is signed. Our attorneys have over 30 years of experience guiding clients through the challenging process of creating and executing a will. We help you answer the difficult questions about your estate and make sure your desires are communicated in a way that is clear and legally enforceable so you decide what legacy you want to leave your loved ones.

If no other action is taken to settle your legal affairs before you pass, a will should at the very least be created. Without the bindings of a detailed and secure will, the matters of your property and custody of your dependents can be left up to a judge who may not make the same decisions as you would have.

Creating a will is not difficult but including every detail that needs to be listed can be stressful. Knauf Law can take the hassle out of creating a will. We will answer your questions and discuss how to best structure your will to provide maximum protection for your loved ones. From our office in Addison, we work with clients throughout the Chicago area, including Cook, DuPage, and Kane Counties. Call us today to schedule an appointment!