ESTATE PLANNING
Planning for After Life
Will Lawyer Chicago: Wills for Illinois Families
A will says who receives your property, who carries out your wishes, and who would raise your children. If you’re looking for a will lawyer Chicago, this page explains what a will does, what it doesn’t, and how The Higher Law Firm prepares one that fits your life.
Clarity. Structure. Strategy. Freedom.
What a Will Does
Says who receives your property
You choose who gets what, instead of leaving it to the default rules in Illinois law.
Names your executor
This is the person who carries out your wishes and handles your estate through the court process.
Nominates guardians for your children
If you have children under 18, your will is where you name who would raise them. A court confirms the appointment, and your nomination tells the court what you wanted. Learn about naming a guardian for your children
Works with trust
A pour-over will send anything left outside your trust into it. It is explained below.
What a Will Doesn’t Do
01
It doesn’t avoid probate
A will directs what happens during probate. It doesn’t keep your property out of it.
02
It doesn’t cover everything you own
Accounts with a named beneficiary, such as retirement accounts and life insurance, and property you own jointly generally pass outside your will.
03
It doesn’t help if you can’t act
A will only takes effect after you die. Powers of attorney cover the years you are living but unable to decide for yourself.
03
It becomes public
A will that goes through probate is filed with the court, so it is generally a public record.
Pour-Over Wills: When a Will Works With a Trust
A will is often the right foundation, and it can also be a safety net for a trust. A pour-over will moves any assets you never retitled into your trust into the trust when you die, so they follow the same instructions. Those assets still go through probate first, which is why a trust works best when it is fully funded. If a trust sounds like a better fit, our trust attorney in Chicago page explains how one works.
Working With a Will Lawyer in Chicago
A will attorney in Chicago should explain your choices in plain language, tell you the price before you begin, and make sure the will is signed correctly. The Higher Law Firm prepares every will through The Higher Law Process™, and every plan is attorney-led.
01
Consult
Begin with a 15-minute introductory call or a 60-minute Higher Law Strategy Session™.
02
Discover
We learn about your family, your property, and who you want to name.
03
Design
Your attorney designs your plan: who receives what, who serves as executor, and who would raise your children.
04
Draft
We prepare your will and the documents that work with it, and explain each one in plain language.
05
Sign
A guided signing, with the witnesses Illinois requires, makes sure the will is executed correctly.
06
Fund
If your plan includes a trust, we help fund it. For a will-based plan, we review your beneficiary designations so they match your will.
07
Align
We revisit your plan as life changes, because a plan is never finished at signing.
Will-Based Planning and Pricing
Will-based planning is our Life Plan, starting at $2,000. Your attorney confirms your price before any work begins. If your family would be better served by a trust, our Legacy Plan starts at $4,500. Both plans are part of our work as an estate planning attorney in Chicago.
Questions About Wills
in Illinois
What makes a will valid in Illinois?
In Illinois, a will must be in writing, signed by the person making it, and witnessed by two credible witnesses, and that person must be at least 18 and of sound mind.
Does a will need to be notarized in Illinois?
No. Illinois requires two witnesses, not a notary, for a will to be valid. Witness language in the will can make it easier to prove later, and a Chicago will attorney can make sure your will is signed and witnessed correctly.
Does a will avoid probate in Illinois?
No. A will directs what happens during probate, but it doesn’t keep your property out of it. Assets with a named beneficiary or joint owner pass outside the will. To keep assets out of probate, many families add a funded trust. Our guide on how to avoid probate in Illinois explains the options.
What happens if you die without a will in Illinois?
Illinois law decides who inherits, and a court chooses who manages your estate. Your spouse and children usually come first, but how property is divided depends on who survives you. A will lets you decide instead.
What is a pour-over will?
A pour-over will is a will that sends any assets left outside your trust into the trust when you die. Those assets still go through probate first, which is why we also help you fund the trust.
How much does a will cost in Illinois?
At The Higher Law Firm, will-based planning starts at $2,000 with the Life Plan, and your Chicago will lawyer confirms your price before any work begins. If a trust fits better, the Legacy Plan starts at $4,500.
Begin With Clarity
One conversation with a will lawyer in Chicago is enough to see what your family needs.
Attorney advertising. The information on this website is general information, not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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