Real Estate / Estate Planning / Business
Estate Planning for Chicago Families
Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for families in Logan Square, Chicago, and throughout Cook County.
Most people put off estate planning because it feels like something to deal with later. But the plan you don't make is still a plan — Illinois law simply makes the decisions for you, and your family lives with the results.
I'm William Galioto, and I've been practicing transactional law in Chicago since 2009. I work directly with every client. No associates, no handoffs, no hourly meter running while you decide what questions to ask.
You probably need a plan sooner than you think
Estate planning is not just for retirees. The clients I work with most often are:
Parents of Young Kids
If both parents die without a will naming a guardian, an Illinois court decides who raises your children. Family members can petition, and they don't always agree. A will lets you make that choice yourself.
Blended Families
Second marriages, children from prior relationships, and stepchildren create outcomes under default Illinois law that are frequently the opposite of what people intend.
Chicago Homeowners
If your home is titled in your individual name when you die, it generally has to pass through probate in the Circuit Court before it can be sold or transferred — even if your will is perfectly clear about who should get it.
Business Owners
An LLC or S-corp interest with no succession plan can leave your family holding an asset they can't operate and can't easily sell.
Unmarried Partners
Illinois intestacy law does not recognize an unmarried partner as an heir. Without a plan, your partner may inherit nothing, regardless of how long you've been together.
Existing Estate Plan
Old documents naming ex-spouses, deceased trustees, or minor children who are now adults are one of the more common problems I see.
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