Northbrook Living Trust Lawyer

Most people know they need an estate plan, but they don’t know whether a will alone is enough, or something like a living trust is better suited to their needs.

A living trust lets you transfer assets to your beneficiaries without going through probate court. This means there is no public record of what you owned, no six month waiting period, and no court supervision of how your estate gets distributed. In other words, you maintain control during your lifetime. You can change beneficiaries, add or remove assets, or revoke the trust entirely if circumstances change. When you die, your successor trustee distributes everything according to your instructions. No court involvement required.

Without proper planning, your estate goes through Illinois probate. Court costs add up. The process takes months, sometimes over a year for complex estates. Everything becomes public record. If you own property in multiple states, your family deals with separate probate proceedings in each jurisdiction. Not ideal.

At Kravets Law Group, Founder Daniel Kravets personally handles every trust matter. He’s been practicing law since 2016 and opened the firm in 2020. We have worked with Northbrook, IL families across all situations—multi-property owners, blended families, business owners, families with significant assets. Our Northbrook living trust lawyer approach focuses on creating structures that actually work when they’re needed most.

Why Choose Kravets Law Group for Living Trust Attorney Services in Northbrook

Ten Years of Trust and Estate Planning Experience. Daniel Kravets has handled living trust matters for a decade. He understands the specific challenges Illinois families face depending on what they own and who’s involved. Real estate holdings need proper titling. Retirement accounts require beneficiary coordination. Business interests demand succession planning. We’ve addressed all these scenarios in Northbrook and surrounding Cook County communities.

Proven Results for Families with Complex Assets. We’ve drafted living trusts for families with $300,000 to $30 million+ in assets. Multi-property holdings. Blended households. These structures ensure smooth asset transfers and complete probate avoidance. We’ve helped clients with dynasty trusts to protect multi-generational wealth and revocable trusts that provide flexibility during life while streamlining inheritance after death. Funding assistance with deeds and account transfers—we guide families through all of it.

Transparent, Fixed-Rate Pricing. Most living trust packages are offered at flat-rate pricing, with clear add-on fees for deeds and additional property transfers. You know exactly what you’re paying before we start. No surprise hourly bills.

Personal Attention from Start to Finish. Daniel handles every case personally—from initial consultation through final document signing. You’re not passed off to paralegals or junior attorneys. We use plain-English explanations and step-by-step reviews so you leave confident in what you’ve created.

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“I worked with Kravets Law Group to create my estate plan, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. Daniel took the time to understand my goals, explain my options clearly, and design a plan that truly fits my family’s needs. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about trusts, wills, and asset protection strategies, but also approachable and patient. Can’t recommend the firm enough!” – Lyudmyla Len

Types of Living Trust Services We Handle in Northbrook, IL

We represent individuals, families, and business owners navigating probate and looking to create estate plans. Our Northbrook trust attorney handles the full range of trust-related matters.

Living trusts give families flexibility, privacy, and control while ensuring loved ones are cared for without probate delays and costs.

• Revocable Living Trusts. The most common type of trust for Illinois families. You maintain complete control during your lifetime—you can modify terms, change beneficiaries, or dissolve the trust entirely. Assets transfer directly to beneficiaries when you die without court supervision. We draft these for individuals and married couples.
• Pour-Over Wills. These companion documents work with your living trust to catch any assets you didn’t transfer before death. The will “pours over” those remaining assets into your trust, which then distributes everything according to your trust terms. Every properly funded living trust should include one.
• Trust Funding and Asset Transfers. Creating the trust document is just the first step. Real estate needs new deeds. Bank accounts must be retitled. Investment accounts require beneficiary updates. We guide you through the entire funding process and prepare necessary transfer documents. Understanding trust funding makes the difference between an effective plan and an empty document.
• Dynasty Trusts. For families looking to protect wealth across multiple generations, these irrevocable trusts minimize estate taxes and shield assets from creditors.
• Special Needs Trusts. Families with disabled children or dependents need structures that provide financial security without jeopardizing government benefits like SSI or Medicaid. We draft first-party, third-party, and pooled trusts depending on the situation. Parents get guidance on funding options and trustee responsibilities.
• Trust Amendments and Restatements. Life circumstances change. Marriages, divorces, births, deaths, major asset acquisitions. Rather than creating an entirely new trust, we can amend specific provisions or restate the entire trust with updated terms while maintaining the original date and avoiding retitling assets.

Illinois Living Trust Requirements

Illinois law doesn’t require you to create a living trust. But it does establish specific rules about how trusts must be structured and administered.

Understanding these requirements helps you avoid problems down the road.

Under the Illinois Trust Code, a valid trust requires three elements: a settlor (you), a trustee (initially you, then your successor), and beneficiaries. The trust must have a lawful purpose. You must transfer actual property into the trust—it can’t be empty. The same person can be settlor, trustee, and beneficiary during your lifetime.

Most living trusts in Illinois are revocable, meaning you can keep complete control. This includes a change to beneficiaries. It also includes modifying distribution terms of revoking the trust entirely. The trust will be irrevocable at death.

Here’s what matters most for Northbrook families: Illinois has no state estate tax, but federal estate tax still applies to estates exceeding $13.61 million per person in 2024 (subject to change). Proper trust planning can help minimize federal tax exposure for high-net-worth families.

The Illinois probate process can take six months to well over a year depending on estate complexity. A properly funded living trust avoids these proceedings entirely.

Real estate transfers into trusts require new deeds filed with the Cook County Recorder. Financial accounts need retitling, which each institution handles differently. We coordinate all necessary transfers.

The Illinois attorney licensing requirements ensure your trust documents are prepared by qualified legal counsel. Working with an experienced attorney protects you from common mistakes like improper trust funding, unclear beneficiary designations, or provisions that conflict with state law. Trust planning requires careful attention to both legal requirements and family dynamics.

Contact Kravets Law Group

If you’re ready to protect your assets and ensure your family avoids probate, contact our Northbrook living trust attorney today. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your situation and explain your options.

Daniel Kravets personally handles every case from our Chicago office, serving Northbrook and surrounding Cook County communities. Reach out through our website to schedule your consultation.

At your initial meeting we will review your assets as well as who you want to benefit from them. Each circumstance is unique. We will discuss whether a living trust is appropriate in your situation. Our goal is to leave you with a clear understanding of how we work, the process, and any fees associated.

Most living trust packages are completed within 2-4 weeks depending on your schedule and asset complexity.

We respond to client questions promptly and stay available throughout the process.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Proper planning now saves your family months of court proceedings and thousands in unnecessary costs later.