Probate Lawyer Deerfield, IL
If someone close to you has recently passed away, you are probably managing more than most people realize. There’s grief. There are accounts to track down, property to address, and decisions to make, all while the clock on certain legal deadlines is already running.
Our Deerfield, IL probate attorney at Kravets Law Group represents individuals, families, executors, and administrators through every stage of the Illinois probate process. Founding attorney Daniel Kravets has been practicing law since 2016, opened the firm in 2020, and handles all probate matters directly. Whether you’re an executor unsure where to begin or a beneficiary concerned about how the estate is being handled, we are here to provide clear answers and practical direction. Contact us today. Free consultations are available!
Why Choose Kravets Law Group for Probate in Deerfield, IL?
Familiarity With Lake County Probate Court
Deerfield is in Lake County, which means probate matters for most Deerfield residents are filed with the 19th Judicial Circuit Court. That court operates under its own local rules and procedures that differ meaningfully from Cook County practice. Daniel Kravets has administered estates in Cook County and surrounding counties, Lake County included; as an experienced estate planning lawyer in Deerfield, IL, he knows how to move filings forward without unnecessary delays. Proper administration directly affects how much of the estate reaches beneficiaries and how long the process takes.
Context matters: trusts, beneficiary designations, and how assets are titled all affect whether a Deerfield estate goes through court and how that process unfolds when it does.
Experience With Contested and Complex Estates
Most probate administrations are uncontested. But not all. When heirs dispute distributions, a creditor files an unexpected claim, or someone raises questions about the validity of a will, the process changes considerably. We’ve represented executors and beneficiaries in contested estate matters and worked to resolve those disputes without extended litigation, preserving as much of the estate as possible throughout. When going to court is what the matter requires, we are fully prepared to do that.
Daniel holds membership in the Chicago Bar Association and earned his law degree from Drexel University Law. He has been working in this area of practice for close to a decade, with experience across Cook County and surrounding counties.
Transparency at Every Stage
Clients in probate proceedings often feel left in the dark. Filings go in, months pass, and no one explains what’s actually happening or what comes next. Our practice is built around doing the opposite. Plain-English updates, clear timelines, and upfront information about what the court requires and what the process costs at each stage. No surprises.
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“I have complete faith and trust in Daniel to handle my estate needs. Just like his website says, straightforward advice and dependable, talking with Daniel is stress-free and uncomplicated, which is what I want with something that’s so important. Highly recommend.” — Helena Gonzalez
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Probate Cases We Handle in Deerfield
Illinois probate takes different forms depending on what the decedent owned, whether a valid will exists, and whether disputes emerge along the way. These are the primary categories of probate and estate administration matters we handle for Deerfield families.
- Independent Administration. The majority of Illinois estates proceed through independent administration, which allows the executor to manage and close the estate without seeking court approval at every step. We handle all statutory filings, the creditor notice period, estate inventories, and final accountings under the Illinois Probate Act. Moving efficiently through each requirement keeps costs down and gets distributions to beneficiaries sooner.
- Supervised Administration. When an interested party objects or the court determines closer oversight is warranted, the estate proceeds through supervised administration. Every major action requires judicial approval. We’ve handled proceedings under both standards and understand how to satisfy the additional requirements without letting the matter drag.
- Will contests and disputed estates. Illinois recognizes several grounds for challenging a will, including lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, and improper execution. We represent executors defending the validity of a will and beneficiaries who have legitimate grounds to challenge it.
- Intestate heirship disputes. When someone dies without a valid will, Illinois intestacy law governs who inherits. In blended families or estates with significant assets, that can produce real conflict. We work to establish heirship and move the estate through distribution.
- Creditor claims. After published notice, creditors have a statutory window to file claims against the estate. We review every claim, challenge those that aren’t properly supported, and advise on priority of payment when estate assets are limited.
- Estate accountings. Executors have a fiduciary duty to formally account for all assets, income, and distributions. We prepare the court-required accountings and help executors fulfill these obligations without exposing themselves to personal liability.
Illinois Legal Requirements for Probate
Illinois probate is governed by the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5). For Deerfield families, estates are filed in Lake County, and the statutory framework determines the timeline and procedures the administration must follow.
Creditor notice is one of the most time-sensitive requirements. Once an estate is formally opened, notice to creditors must be published. After that, creditors have the later of six months from the date of death or three months from the date of published notice to file claims. These windows matter in ways that affect both what debts the estate is responsible for and how quickly the estate can close.
Not every estate requires a full court administration. Illinois provides a small estate affidavit procedure for qualifying estates with assets under $100,000, which can sidestep formal proceedings entirely. Whether an estate qualifies depends on asset titling, whether beneficiary designations are in place, and whether real property is involved. Families who put wills and trusts in place beforehand often reach this stage in much better shape.
Estates over $4 million in Illinois may be subject to the Illinois estate tax. At the federal level, the IRS estate tax rules apply to larger estates as well. These are separate filings with their own deadlines, running alongside the probate process rather than as part of it.
Important Aspects of a Deerfield Probate Case
Does the Estate Actually Need to Go Through Probate?
Before opening an estate, it’s worth working through how assets are actually held. Property in a trust, accounts with transfer-on-death designations, jointly titled real estate, and life insurance policies with named beneficiaries all pass outside of the probate process. As recent high-profile estates have shown, even families with substantial planning in place can end up in probate if trust documents weren’t properly funded or kept current. We’ve worked with Deerfield families where careful review of asset titling resolved what looked like a complex estate without any court involvement at all.
What the Executor Is Actually Responsible For
Serving as executor is a substantive legal responsibility, not a formality. The executor must locate and inventory all assets, notify creditors and agencies, pay valid debts, file required tax returns, and distribute what remains to beneficiaries in accordance with the will and Illinois law. The fiduciary standard is strict. Errors, even well-intentioned ones, can result in personal liability. We walk executors through each step to make sure obligations are being met correctly throughout the administration.
One area that catches executors off guard is making distributions to a beneficiary who receives SSI or Medicaid. A direct inheritance, even a modest one, can disqualify that person from means-tested benefits. In those situations, coordinating with our special needs trust attorney during the administration may be necessary before any distribution is made. This isn’t uncommon, and it’s exactly the kind of issue that needs to be identified early rather than after funds have already been distributed.
Creditor Claims After Published Notice
Once notice is published, claims start arriving. Some are valid. Others are overstated or improperly documented. Illinois law gives executors the authority to reject improper claims, but that process must follow specific procedures and meet applicable deadlines. We review every claim for accuracy and legal sufficiency, advise on what to accept or challenge, and manage the response timeline so nothing is missed.
Valuation and Inventory Requirements
Every Illinois probate administration requires a formal inventory of estate assets with date-of-death valuations. For estates that include real property, investment accounts, or business interests, accurate values affect both distribution calculations and the estate’s tax position. Getting these numbers right early in the process avoids disputes and complications later.
The Probate Timeline
An uncontested probate administration in Lake County generally takes between nine months and a year, sometimes longer depending on estate size and court scheduling. Contested matters take more time. For families wondering about their options for avoiding probate, the best time to plan is well before it becomes an issue.
Contact Kravets Law Group
Probate doesn’t have to be an open-ended process. We handle each stage from opening the estate through final distribution, keep you informed throughout, and address complications directly rather than letting them accumulate. When you reach out, we’ll schedule a free consultation to review your situation, explain what the process looks like for your specific estate, and answer your questions before you move forward. Contact us today to get started.