§ III · Practice area
Estate planning for Chicago families, in plain English
A good plan answers a few hard questions: who looks after your children, who handles your money if you cannot, and how your home and savings pass on without a long court process. We help you answer them, then put the answers in documents that work in Illinois.
What we handle
Plans for the people you care about
Estate planning is not only for the wealthy. If you have children, own a home, run a business or simply want to choose who makes decisions for you, a few documents can save your family months of uncertainty.
Plans are led by Danielle Okafor. She meets you, and your partner if you have one, at the office or by video, and asks about family before money.
- WillsWho receives what, who acts as executor, and guardians for children under 18.
- Revocable living trustsKeeping assets out of probate, with a pour-over will as backup and help retitling your home and accounts.
- Powers of attorneyIllinois forms for property and for health care, so someone you trust can act if you cannot.
- Blended families and business ownersSecond marriages, stepchildren, and who takes over the business, planned openly.
- Settling an estateProbate in the Circuit Court of Cook County, trust administration, and small-estate affidavits where they apply.
How it runs
From first meeting to signed plan
Questionnaire
A short form about your family and what you own. Values are enough; account numbers are never needed by email.
Design meeting
We choose between a will and a trust with you and name the people who will act for you.
Drafts to review
You receive the drafts with a one-page summary, and we revise until they read right.
Signing
We arrange the witnesses and notary at the office, then send a checklist for retitling assets.
| Plan | From |
|---|---|
| Will package, singleWill, powers of attorney, health care | $1,200 |
| Will package, coupleMirror wills and both sets of powers | $1,800 |
| Living trust planTrust, pour-over will, funding help | $2,600 |
| Estate administrationHourly, with a written estimate | Quote |
Sample figures for this demo website. Court filing fees are charged at cost.
Questions families ask
Before you plan
General answers to help you prepare. Illinois law changes from time to time, so we confirm the details for your situation.
Do I need a will or a living trust?
A will is enough for many families. A revocable living trust adds privacy and usually avoids probate, which helps if you own a home, property in another state, or want money held for children over time.
What happens if I die without a will in Illinois?
Illinois law decides who inherits and a court appoints someone to administer the estate. An unmarried partner, a stepchild or a favorite charity may receive nothing.
How often should I update my plan?
After a marriage, divorce, birth, move to another state or sale of a business, and otherwise every three to five years.
Can you help if a parent has just died?
Yes. We explain whether probate is needed, guide the executor or trustee through each step, and keep the rest of the family informed.
Next step
Put a plan in place this season.
Most plans are signed within three to four weeks of the first meeting. Tell us who is in your family and what prompted you to start.