Business
From Contracts to Counsel: Your Essential Guide to Hiring a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Like many people, you’ll come across the term probate after a loved one, such as a parent or spouse, passes away. So, what is probate, and why do you need an attorney for it? As defined in Forbes, probate is a legal process that occurs after death. It entails transferring the assets of the decedent (the person who passed) to beneficiaries named in their last will.
With that in mind, having a probate lawyer by your side is essential. The last thing you want to do is deal with the legal complexities of settling a loved one’s estate while grieving. A probate lawyer oversees the validation of the deceased’s will and the fair distribution of assets among family members. One challenge lies in finding a top-quality probate lawyer.
In this guide to hiring a probate attorney in Chicago, we’ll discuss the tips to identify the right legal professional for probate proceedings.
Understand the Responsibilities of a Probate Lawyer
It’s difficult to hire a talented probate lawyer when you don’t know what they do: Start by understanding the roles they play.
When you work with a Chicago probate lawyer, some tasks they might do include:
- Act as an estate executor or administrator
- Collect proceeds from the life insurance policies of the deceased
- Identify and secure the decedent’s assets
- Get an appraisal for the deceased’s estate
- Pay debts and resolve estate tax issues
- Prepare and file documents required in probate court
- Transfer assets to rightful heirs
- Represent you in litigation proceedings if someone challenges or contests the will
A probate lawyer could also help you and your family navigate state inheritance laws if a loved one dies without a valid will. That way, you can avoid unnecessary taxes or other ramifications of not creating a will, such as losing ownership rights of the deceased’s business or financial support.
Search for Lawyers Online and Offline
You’re probably thinking, where do I find the best lawyer to hire? You could seek referrals from friends or colleagues. Friends who worked with probate attorneys before might provide important details, such as how the lawyers communicate and handle the probate process.
Alternatively, do a simple online search using the terms “probate lawyer near me” or “probate attorney in Chicago.” Go through various websites or online directories and write names of lawyers with positive ratings and customer testimonials. Then, contact the potential lawyers to set up free consultations. Note that not all legal professionals offer free consultations, so make sure to ask before setting a time in your calendar.
Ask the Right Questions
A free consultation provides opportunities to ask questions to better understand if the lawyers in question have the qualifications to handle your probate case.
Four questions you might ask attorneys during the initial meeting may include:
- Do You Have Experience in Probate Law?
When evaluating lawyers, prioritize experience. An experienced probate lawyer is aware of common pitfalls that can result in the probate petition being postponed or dropped by a judge. To feel more comfortable about an attorney’s expertise, ask them if they’ve handled probate cases similar to yours before.
For example, let’s say the deceased owned a substantial estate or had complicated assets like royalties and mineral stocks. Working with an attorney with a track record of successfully handling cases like that could save you time and money in the long run.
- What Do Other Clients Say About You?
Experience alone doesn’t make a probate lawyer perfect for your case. Look for someone with an outstanding reputation. These reviews likely live on Google next to their business profile or are featured on their website. If you can’t find any endorsements, ask for testimonials written by past clients.
One point to focus on is what reviewers say about the lawyer’s efficiency and speed. Beyond that, does the lawyer offer expert guidance, conflict mitigation, and proper asset management during probate?
A probate attorney in Chicago, IL, should be an efficient expert in asset preservation. This can be crucial to helping avoid hefty taxes and excessive debt claims. Additionally, if the lawyer receives positive feedback on conflict mitigation, it suggests they have experience in resolving or mitigating family conflicts that tend to stall the probate process.
- How Long Does Probate Last?
One way to test a probate lawyer’s knowledge is by asking them, “How long does probate last?” While the numbers vary, probate can last for a few months to over a year in many states, including Chicago. When highlighting factors that affect the duration of probate, your counsel might mention things like estate size, family disputes, debt and taxes, absence of a will, and state laws.
A knowledgeable lawyer can explain clearly why your probate case could last a few months or even years. A lawyer that makes too brazen or hard-set of promises might not be the most honest.
- How Do You Want Us To Communicate?
There’s no hard rule on how you and your probate attorney communicate. You can talk via text messages, email, video calls, or phone calls. More importantly, check that the attorney communicates in simple language to help you understand your case.
In fact, one essential of a lawyer’s dos and don’ts to gaining clients’ trust is to avoid making clients feel clueless. If a potential lawyer uses complex legal terms or avoids communicating directly, search for probate services elsewhere.
Conclusion: Finding a Probate Attorney in Chicago
Reviewing the will of a loved one after their death and ensuring fair distribution of their assets often involves complex legal issues. For this reason, consider hiring an attorney who specializes in probate law.
To maximize your chances of finding the right probate lawyer, familiarize yourself with their responsibilities. Next, search online for lawyers within your state or ask for recommendations from people you trust. Then, interview prospects to help ensure they possess experience, a remarkable reputation, communication skills, and knowledge of probate law.
Settling the affairs of a loved one who has passed on can be an overwhelming time. A probate attorney can help lift some of the pressure off your shoulders as you focus on grieving and healing.
Business
How Buttonwood Property Management Navigates the Challenges of Property Management in a Thriving Market

A thriving real estate market is full of new opportunities for investment, but it is also rife with significant challenges. One perfect example of this is Toronto’s real estate market, which is bursting with activity due to Toronto’s status as the fastest-growing city in all of North America. Part of Toronto’s fast growth can be attributed to its status as a highly transient city, as 50% of Toronto residents were not born there, but are more recent immigrants or transfers from other nearby cities. As a result, there is a pressing need for more and more residential properties, as well as commercial properties, for companies seeking to take advantage of increased foot traffic.
The challenges of investing in real estate in an urban hub such as Toronto include managing a supply of properties that may not be able to keep up with the demand, as well as keeping property values high in an ever-competitive market. Also, real estate investors struggling to keep up with a highly-demanding market may also experience difficulties with the day-to-day operations of physically maintaining a residential or commercial property.
For these reasons, property management companies have sprung up to address the needs of real estate investors who want to save themselves the time, effort, and stress of tending to all of their properties’ needs. A good property management company should also be capable of paying attention to details and addressing the specifics of relevant regulatory requirements and providing clear communication and dialogue with tenants.
While all of these traits are necessary for property management in Toronto, Buttonwood Property Management has gone above and beyond the call of duty by adding another element to its core ethos. In addition to careful consideration of clients’ needs, Buttonwood Property Management puts people at the heart of everything they do.
“Clients trust us with their most valuable assets because we never compromise on our ethical standards,” Buttonwood Property Management’s [insert name and role of representative here] says. “We specialize in helping owners enjoy peace of mind while ensuring tenants feel right at home.”
In its 14 years of existence, Buttonwood Property Management has built its reputation on long-term relationships with clients and tenants. By thoroughly screening potential tenants, the company has cultivated a spotless reputation, ensuring that rent is always paid to clients on time. Buttonwood Property Management has also provided residential and commercial property management and rental services in the Greater Toronto Area, such as bookkeeping, paying bills, rent collection, initial property inspections, and major renovations.
To date, Buttonwood Property Management has spread its ethos to neighborhoods in Toronto and other nearby areas such as North York, East York, Scarborough, and Mississauga. Through its continuous service, the company has demonstrated that any organization can navigate the challenges of Toronto residential property management by prioritizing quality over quantity and combining expertise with integrity. This has resulted in the company receiving industry awards from organizations such as Kingsway Real Estate Brokerage and iPro Realty Ltd., including the organization’s Platinum Award in 2020.
In the case of property owners, Buttonwood Property Management provides customized solutions to maximize returns while minimizing stress. The company’s experts and specialists take care of everything from tenant screening to maintenance coordination. In the case of tenants, the company seeks to make them feel at home by maintaining properties to the best standards and addressing their concerns promptly. This dual focus has not only strengthened the company’s reputation but also helped create thriving, harmonious communities. Combining professionalism with that personal touch has made Buttonwood Property Management stand out in the very competitive real estate market in Toronto, proving that it is through trust and relationships that sustainable success is realized.
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