Wills and Estate Planning in Central Illinois

The term “estate planning” can be misunderstood it’s not only for the wealthy and elderly – having a solid estate plan makes sense for everyone. Parents, for example, risk putting their children and surviving relatives at significant financial and emotional risk if they have no estate plan.

Our firm handles wills and estate planning for smaller estates (i.e., under $1,000,000.00) in Central Illinois. Get in touch with us to learn more.

Contract waiting for a notary public sign on desk

Key Elements of a Will

  1. Property Division: Specify how you wish your property to be divided among your heirs.

  2. Minor Children’s Care: Designate who should care for any minor children.

  3. Asset Distribution: Outline how money form assets and/or life insurance should be handed down to your children, after payment of allowed expenses and bills.

  4. Medical Care Wishes: Define your wishes for medical care in case you are unable to express them.

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN, YOU NEED A WILL. The primary goal of estate planning is to save your family money, confusion, and heartache in the future. A well-prepared will gives you peace of mind, knowing that your family’s needs will be managed according to your wishes. 

Why You Need Estate Planning

  1. The primary goal of estate planning is to save your family money, confusion, and heartache in the future. A well-prepared will gives you peace of mind, knowing that your family’s needs will be managed according to your wishes.

  1. Seriously, if you have children, you need a will. In a will, you designate who should raise your children should something happen to both parents, absent that designation, any “interested person” can petition to be guardian of your children.

Our Process

At the Jackson Donley Law Offices, we start the estate planning process by gathering as much information as we can about your financial situation and your goals. Once we have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish, we will create an estate plan that offers you the best advantage in organizing and settling your estate according to your desires.  

  • Minimize Tax Consequences: Ensure your estate incurs minimal tax.
  • Secure Children's Future: Make sure your children’s care and finances are handled according to your wishes.
  • Proper Property Distribution: Ensure that your property is passed according to your desires.

Once you know how you want to proceed, we prepare and execute all the necessary documentation, including: 

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Living Wills and Advance Medical Directives
  • Healthcare Powers of Attorney

Guardianship and Probate Process

If you have minor children or others who would need care upon your death, we can help set up a guardianship to protect their interests.

In addition to the planning part of the process, we work with executors, administrators, personal representatives, and heirs, helping you satisfy the requirements to successfully settle the estate of a loved one through the probate process.

We can help you get appointed as an executor or administrator, work with you to prepare and file an accounting of the assets of the estate, assist you with the payment of all final debts and taxes of the estate, and oversee the orderly distribution of property in accordance with the terms of the will.