Oak Lawn Estate Planning

Find the right Wills & Trusts attorney in Oak Lawn, IL

In Oak Lawn, "estate planning" refers to all of the decisions affecting how a person's property is going to be disposed of after their death, as well as the process of implementing those decisions when the time comes.

Estate planning typically requires professional legal and financial advice, because of the complexity and importance of the issues involved. A poorly-executed estate plan can frequently end with survivors suing each other, and prevent your intentions from being effectuated.

While planning your estate, there are a few prevalent issues that most people should consider. One big one is the decision relating to power of attorney, which is an arrangement where you give one person the power to make legally-binding decisions on your behalf. You can set up an agreement telling your representative precisely what power they have, what you want them to do, and when the power will vest (typically, if and when you become unable to make your own decisions).

A knowledgeable Oak Lawn professional experienced in estate planning can make this process a great deal easier. They can also help ensure that your estate plan does not end up in court.

Common Features of Oak Lawn Estates

Will: A will is often the central component of an estate plan. It is a legal document which says what is to be done with a person's assets after they die. It typically involves giving money and property to the testator's close family members, friends, and sometimes charitable organizations.

Living Will: Living wills are also very crucial for most people. Basically, a living will tells everyone concerned (your next of kin, and your doctor) what type of medical care you want if you become incapacitated. It normally includes the circumstances under which a person wishes to be kept on life support, when they want to be taken off of life support, and, sometimes, instructions on when medical staff should and should not attempt resuscitation.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney allows you to grant someone else (typically a trusted family member or friend) the power to make certain decisions in your place, with the same legal effect as if you had made them yourself, in the event that you become unable to do so (typically due to mental or physical incapacity). If you decide to give someone power of attorney, you should make your wishes known to them in advance, so they are more likely to make the same decisions that you would make, if you were able to. And, of course, you should only give this authority to someone with whom you would trust your life because that is, in some cases, just what you're doing.

Funeral Arrangements: Whatever your preference on this matter (if you have a preference) you should make it known to your family both verbally and in writing. If you have very specific wishes concerning the final disposition of your mortal remains, you should not put those instructions in your will. Or, if you do, you should also put them somewhere else. Wills are normally not read for quite some time after a person dies, and the funeral is typically long over by then, so it will be too late to follow your instructions.

Do I Need a Oak Lawn Estates Lawyer?

A knowledgeable estates lawyer in Oak Lawn can make the estate planning process much easier. He or she can maximize the chances of your wishes being given effect. Moreover, a good and clear estate plan is far less likely to result in litigation in the future, since disputes of this nature are almost always the result of ambiguity.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn, IL is a village in Cook County. Its population is approximately 55,000 as of the 2000 Census.

Being in Cook County, Oak Lawn is generally considered to be a suburb of Chicago. Residents of Oak Lawn are particularly proud of their city's park system, which is composed of over 300 acres of open green space, parks, and recreational facilities, such as basketball and tennis courts, as well as baseball and soccer fields.

The downtown area of Oak Lawn, Illinois went nearly a decade without significant new construction. However, in recent years, it has undergone a major redevelopment, with the intent of revitalizing the area, and creating jobs. New condominium developments, office space, as well as many new spaces for retailers and restaurants were all added, significantly revitalizing the area.

This seems to have been effective, as the percentage of people living below the poverty line in Oak Lawn, Illinois is far lower than the national average, which is about 20%. By contrast, only 5% of the population of Oak Lawn lives below the poverty line.

There are many lawyers in and around Oak Law, Illinois who can help you with virtually any legal problem you might have. Oak Lawn, Illinois attorneys are always ready to help.

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