Estate Planning Attorneys

The importance of effective estate planning cannot be stressed enough. Life tends to get more complex as we age — children are born, marriages are established or ended, assets are acquired, real estate is purchased, etc. Just as all of these factors affect us during life, they can all lend to the complexities of estate administration upon death.

Estate planning does not have to be a dreaded thing. At Botto Gilbert Schottland & Andrle, we skillfully guide clients through the estate planning and probate processes. To learn more about establishing a customized estate plan, contact our law firm today to set up a consultation.

Estate Planning Services

Botto Gilbert Schottland Lancaster PC encourages clients to plan effectively for the future through wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. Individuals of all ages and incomes can benefit from estate planning to protect their assets, designate beneficiaries, and to establish a plan for tying together the legal and financial complexities of a life. Our firm can help you with the following:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Powers of attorney
• Guardianships
• Living wills
• Advance health care directives

We can help you build a customized estate plan based on your needs, goals, and unique financial and familial circumstances.

Probate and Estate Administration

The process of administering a will after a death is known as probate. In Illinois, there is a specific legal process involved. Generally, the probate process involves:

• Identifying assets
• Appraising property
• Distributing assets according to the terms of the will
• Paying outstanding debts
• Paying taxes
• Filing paperwork with court

Our McHenry County probate attorneys can guide you through the process of administering your family member's estate. If you encounter any disputes during the probate process — involving the validity of the will, undue influence, or any other matter — we can help you seek to resolve the dispute in the most efficient way possible.

Contact a Probate Lawyer

To learn more about inheritance and asset protection, contact a Woodstock estate planning lawyer from our firm by calling 815.338.3838 or 800.338.3833. We accept credit cards, offer flexible appointment scheduling, employ numerous fluent speakers of Spanish and offer payment plans. We are conveniently located just off Route 47 near the McHenry County Courthouse, and we can visit you in your home if you are unable to travel.