Most people know they need a will. They just don’t know where to start or what it actually involves.
If you die without a will in place, Illinois intestacy laws determine who gets what. Those default rules might not match what you would have wanted. Your estate goes through probate court, which takes around six months and often much longer. Your family pays legal fees and court costs. If there are disputes among potential heirs, those get resolved in court while everyone’s grieving.
A will solves these problems. At Kravets Law Group, Founder Daniel Kravets handles every will matter personally. He’s been practicing law since 2016 and opened the firm in 2020. We’ve worked with Northbrook families across all situations—simple estates, blended families, multi-property owners, business owners. Each case requires different provisions, but the goal is the same: creating a document that holds up if challenged and actually reflects what you want to happen. Our Northbrook wills lawyer approach focuses on drafting wills that accomplish what you need them to accomplish.
Why Families Work With Kravets Law Group
Decade of Estate Planning Experience. Daniel Kravets has 10 years of experience drafting wills for Illinois families. He understands the challenges you face depending on what you own and who’s involved. Minor children need guardian designations. Blended families need careful provisions to avoid conflicts between children from different marriages. Business owners have to address succession. We’ve handled all of these scenarios, and we understand the specific concerns that come up with will planning in this area.
Proven Results with Complex Family Situations. We’ve drafted wills for clients with both simple and complex estates, including blended families and multi-property owners. These documents ensure proper probate avoidance strategies are in place through companion trusts. We’ve created structures that work—not generic templates that might fail when tested.
Fixed-Rate Pricing with Clear Costs. Standalone wills and bundled will/trust packages are offered at flat-rate pricing. You know what you’re paying upfront. No hourly billing surprises later.
Personal Service from Start to Finish. Daniel handles every case personally. We make the process simple and understandable, ensuring your wishes are documented clearly and legally enforceable.
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“Daniel was extremely helpful in a tough situation. The communication was key and the explanation of processes were very thorough. Couldn’t recommend enough when looking for Will and Trust assistance.” – Jeremy Schwartz
Types of Will Services We Handle in Northbrook, IL
We represent individuals and families who need wills as part of their estate plan. Our Northbrook wills attorney handles the full range of will-related matters.
- Last Wills and Testaments. The foundation document that names your executor, designates guardians for minor children, and specifies who inherits your assets. We draft these to work either as standalone documents or as part of a larger estate plan with trusts.
- Pour-Over Wills. These companion documents work with living trusts. Any assets you didn’t transfer to your trust during your lifetime get “poured over” into the trust after death. Every properly funded trust should include one.
- Codicils. Amendments to existing wills. Life changes—marriages, divorces, births, deaths, major purchases. Rather than drafting an entirely new will, we can amend specific provisions through a codicil.
- Wills for Blended Families. Second marriages with children from prior relationships require careful planning. You need provisions that protect your current spouse while ensuring children from your first marriage aren’t disinherited. Understanding will planning helps avoid contests later.
- Wills with Trust Provisions. For families with minor children or beneficiaries who aren’t ready to handle large inheritances, we include trust provisions directly in the will. These testamentary trusts provide management and protection.
- Business Owner Wills. Business interests need specific language about succession, buy-sell agreements, and valuation. We coordinate with your business planning to ensure everything aligns.
Illinois Will Requirements
Creating a valid will in Illinois requires compliance with specific legal formalities. Miss one element and the entire document might be thrown out.
Under the Illinois Probate Act, every will must be in writing and signed by the testator (you) or by someone in your presence at your direction. You must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind and memory. The will must be witnessed by two credible witnesses who saw you sign or acknowledge the document in their presence.
Illinois doesn’t recognize holographic wills (handwritten, unwitnessed documents) or oral wills except in very limited circumstances. Your will needs proper witnessing or it won’t hold up in probate court.
If you die without a valid will, Illinois intestacy laws control who inherits. Surviving spouses get half if there are children, everything if no children and no parents. Children split everything equally if there’s no spouse. More distant relatives inherit only if closer relatives don’t exist. Illinois intestacy rules rarely match what people actually want.
The probate process in Illinois takes time. Executors must file the will with the Cook County Clerk Recordings Division if there’s real estate involved. Court proceedings follow strict timelines. Interested parties have six months to contest the will after it’s admitted to probate.
Proper will planning includes naming backup executors in case your first choice can’t serve. Guardian designations for minor children need alternates. Specific bequests should account for assets that might not exist at death. Estate planning considerations extend beyond just drafting the document.
Working with qualified legal counsel matters. The Illinois attorney licensing requirements ensure your will is prepared correctly. DIY wills and online forms often contain mistakes that create problems—unclear language, improper execution, provisions that conflict with state law.
Contact Kravets Law Group
If you’re ready to document your wishes and protect your family, contact our Northbrook wills lawyer today. We offer free initial consultations.
Daniel Kravets personally handles every case from our Chicago office, serving Northbrook and surrounding Cook County communities. Reach out through our website to schedule.
During your consultation, we’ll review your family situation, what you own, and who you want to benefit. We’ll explain which planning tools make sense for your circumstances—whether that’s a simple will, a will with trust provisions, or a comprehensive estate plan with revocable trusts. You’ll leave understanding the process, timeline, and costs.
Most will packages are completed within 2-3 weeks depending on your schedule.
We respond to questions promptly and stay available throughout.
Don’t wait. Proper planning now ensures your family knows exactly what you wanted and avoids unnecessary conflict later.

Types Of Wills Cases We Handle
At Kravets Law Group, we represent clients in all aspects of will-related matters. Our practice covers everything from drafting and updating wills to handling disputes, probate administration, and litigation. We recognize that each family’s circumstances are different, and we approach every case with the attention and care it deserves while working to protect your rights and interests.
Will Drafting and Estate Planning: We prepare comprehensive wills tailored to your individual needs, whether you have a simple estate or hold substantial assets requiring detailed planning. Our drafting process includes discussions about guardianship for minor children, specific bequests, residuary distributions, and executor appointments. We also coordinate your will with other estate planning documents to create a cohesive plan that reflects your complete wishes.
Will Updates and Codicils: Life events such as marriages, divorces, births, deaths, relocations, and significant asset changes often necessitate updates to existing wills. We prepare formal codicils to make minor modifications or draft entirely new wills when substantial revisions are needed. This work includes removing outdated provisions, adding new beneficiaries, changing executors, and updating distribution plans to match your current situation.
Will Contest Litigation: When family members believe a will was executed under undue influence, fraud, lack of testamentary capacity, or improper formalities, we help them challenge its validity in court. We investigate the circumstances surrounding the will’s creation, gather medical records and witness testimony, and build cases that demonstrate why the document should be set aside. These cases require thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy to protect our clients’ inheritance rights.
Executor Representation and Guidance: Serving as an executor carries significant legal responsibilities, from filing the will with the court to inventorying assets, paying debts, filing tax returns, and distributing property to beneficiaries. We guide executors through each step of probate administration, helping them fulfill their duties while avoiding common pitfalls that can lead to personal liability. Our counsel includes advice on asset valuation, creditor claims, beneficiary communications, and obtaining court approvals when necessary.
Beneficiary Rights and Enforcement: Beneficiaries sometimes face executors who delay distributions, fail to provide accountings, or deviate from the will’s instructions. We represent beneficiaries who need to enforce their rights under a will, demand proper administration, and hold executors accountable for their actions. This representation may include filing petitions to compel accountings, remove executors, or surcharge executors for losses caused by their mismanagement.
Will Interpretation and Construction: Ambiguous language or conflicting provisions in wills can create disputes about what the deceased person intended. We bring construction actions asking courts to interpret unclear terms and determine how assets should be distributed. These cases involve careful analysis of the will’s language, examination of surrounding circumstances, and application of legal principles governing testamentary intent.
Executor Removal Proceedings: When executors fail to perform their duties, engage in self-dealing, or create conflicts that prevent proper estate administration, removal may be necessary. We file petitions to remove executors who are not serving the estate’s best interests and also defend executors facing baseless removal attempts. These proceedings require documentation of the executor’s conduct and clear demonstration of why a change in administration serves the estate and its beneficiaries.
Estate Accounting Disputes: Executors must provide detailed accountings showing all estate assets, income, expenses, and distributions. We assist beneficiaries who receive incomplete or questionable accountings and suspect financial irregularities. Our review process often uncovers unauthorized expenses, missing assets, or improper distributions that warrant legal action.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims: Executors owe fiduciary duties to estate beneficiaries and must manage assets prudently, act in good faith, and avoid conflicts of interest. We pursue claims against executors who breach these duties through self-dealing, negligent asset management, or failure to follow the will’s terms. We also defend executors against unfounded allegations that threaten their reputation and personal assets.
Estate Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Will-related disputes can involve questions about asset ownership, creditor claims, heir identification, and challenges to specific bequests. We handle litigation arising from these issues, working to resolve conflicts efficiently while protecting our clients’ legal rights and financial interests.
Whether you need a will drafted, require guidance administering an estate, or face a dispute over a loved one’s testamentary wishes, our Northbrook wills lawyer team is ready to help. We provide practical advice based on your specific circumstances and committed representation focused on achieving your goals. Contact us today to discuss your will-related matter and discover how we can assist you in moving forward with clarity and confidence.
Five Common Reasons A Northbrook Wills Lawyer Can Contest A Will
When a loved one passes away, discovering a will can bring both clarity and conflict. In some cases, family members or beneficiaries believe a will does not reflect the deceased’s true wishes or was created under questionable circumstances. Illinois law allows interested parties to challenge a will in probate court, but doing so requires legal knowledge, evidence, and strict adherence to deadlines. A skilled Northbrook, IL wills lawyer can evaluate your situation and determine whether you have valid grounds to contest a will. Below are five of the most common legal grounds for challenging a will.
Lack of Testamentary Capacity
One of the most frequent grounds for contesting a will is a lack of mental capacity at the time the will was created. To make a valid will in Illinois, the testator must understand the nature of their assets, the natural heirs of their estate, and the legal effect of signing the document.
If the person was suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, severe cognitive decline, or mental illness when the will was executed, the document may be invalid. A Northbrook wills lawyer can gather medical records, witness testimony, and expert opinions to demonstrate that the testator lacked the legal capacity to make sound decisions.
Undue Influence or Coercion
A will may be contested if someone pressured, manipulated, or coerced the testator into changing their estate plan. Undue influence often occurs when a vulnerable individual relies heavily on a caregiver, family member, or trusted advisor who stands to benefit from the will.
Warning signs may include sudden changes to the will, exclusion of long-standing beneficiaries, or a new beneficiary who exercised significant control over the testator’s daily life. A wills lawyer can investigate financial records, communications, and behavioral patterns to show that the will reflects manipulation rather than the testator’s true intent.
Fraud or Forgery
Another serious reason to contest a will is fraud, which occurs when someone deceives the testator into signing a will by providing false information or misrepresentations. Forgery may also occur if a signature is forged or the will is fabricated.
If there is evidence that the testator was tricked, misled, or unaware of the contents of the will, a court may invalidate the document. A Northbrook wills lawyer can work with handwriting experts, forensic professionals, and financial investigators to uncover fraud or forgery.
Improper Execution of the Will
Illinois law requires strict formalities when creating a valid will. Generally, a will must be signed by the testator and witnessed by at least two credible individuals who observe the signing.
If the will was not properly executed, lacked valid witnesses, or failed to meet statutory requirements, it may be deemed invalid. Even minor procedural errors can jeopardize a will’s enforceability. A wills lawyer can review the document for compliance with legal formalities and identify procedural flaws that may support a challenge.
Existence of a More Recent or Valid Will
Sometimes a will is contested because a newer will exists or because evidence shows the testator revoked or replaced an earlier version. If multiple wills exist, the court must determine which document reflects the most recent and valid expression of the testator’s wishes.
A Northbrook wills lawyer can locate, evaluate, and compare estate planning documents to determine whether an older will should be set aside in favor of a newer one.
Speak With Attorney Daniel Kravets About Contesting A Will
If you believe a will does not reflect your loved one’s true intentions, it is important to seek experienced legal guidance as soon as possible. Attorney Daniel Kravets of Kravets Law Group is known for his client-focused approach, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to protecting families during complex estate disputes. With extensive experience in probate and estate litigation, Daniel Kravets diligently evaluates contested wills, uncovers critical evidence, and pursues fair outcomes for his clients.
Deadlines for contesting a will in Illinois are strict, so acting quickly is essential. Contact Kravets Law Group today to schedule a consultation and learn how an experienced Northbrook wills lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure your loved one’s true wishes are honored.