Living in Illinois while working, owning property, or maintaining family connections in Missouri can raise practical estate-planning questions. Beal & Whitener LLP assists Illinois individuals and families with wills, trusts, and planning for incapacity, including clients whose lives and property cross state lines.
James E. Beal is licensed in Missouri and Illinois. From our office in Clayton, he provides estate-planning advice tailored to the client's residence, family, assets, and applicable law.
Planning for Illinois Individuals and Families
We help you consider who should act for you, how your property should pass, and what support your beneficiaries may need. Depending on your circumstances, the plan may include:
- A will and nominations concerning the care of minor children.
- A revocable living trust and related documents.
- Financial and health care powers of attorney and appropriate advance directives.
- Provisions governing when and how beneficiaries receive property.
- Coordination of real estate, account ownership, and beneficiary designations.
- Selected irrevocable trusts where the purpose and consequences fit your goals.
Missouri and Illinois Are Not Interchangeable
Documents and planning choices should reflect the law that applies to you. A move across the river, property in both states, or documents prepared years ago can warrant a fresh review. We examine the plan as a whole, including the relationship between the documents and the way assets are held.
Tax Questions Deserve Individual Attention
Illinois has a state estate tax, which can make state-level planning relevant even when a family is focused primarily on federal taxes. We evaluate whether tax planning needs further attention and coordinate with accountants and other advisers as appropriate. Tax planning recommendations depend on current law and the particular assets and family involved.
More Than Signing Documents
If your plan uses a trust, we discuss which assets should be coordinated with it and what implementation work is needed. We identify the assistance included in the engagement, the steps you must complete, and any work requiring another professional. Existing plans can also be reviewed after marriage, divorce, a birth, a death, relocation, or a significant change in assets.
A Defined Engagement
Many will-based and revocable trust-based plans can be handled for a flat fee. We explain the recommended scope and fees before beginning. More complex trust arrangements may require additional review, meetings, and coordination.
This page describes James Beal's Illinois estate-planning services. The firm's criminal-defense practice is described separately.
Discuss Your Illinois Estate Plan
Call (314) 227-1014 or contact our office. Tell us where you live, where you own real estate, and whether you already have a will or trust. We will discuss how to begin and which documents to gather.