Law Firm

Attorneys for Asset Transfer and Protection

No matter how large or small your estate may be, the greatest gift that you can leave your loved ones is security. At Otte & Czajkowska, LLC, our skilled lawyers know that one of the best ways to offer security to your family is by creating a comprehensive, well-designed estate plan customized to meet your specific needs and those of your loved ones. We understand how to use a full range of estate planning tools, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and more, to help you give your family the peace of mind they deserve.

Drafting and Executing Wills in Elmwood Park

Wills are the foundation for most effective estate plans. Also called a last will and testament, a will is a legal document that records your wishes regarding your property, minor children, and many other considerations. Your will should be tailored to address your unique situation and may contain provisions for:

• Appointing an executor for your estate.
• Settling any outstanding obligations and debts.
• Allocating your assets to your heirs and beneficiaries.
• Donating to charitable causes.
• Selecting a guardian for your children.

Our experienced team can assist you in drafting and executing a will that effectively addresses all of your concerns. We will also take every precaution to ensure that your will is sound enough to withstand challenges or contests made during probate.

Niles Lawyers for Transfer on Death Instruments

Most wills are intended to help distribute a person's assets to his or her heirs upon the person's death. Complex or particularly valuable assets, however, may require special consideration. A good example of such an asset is residential real estate. Leaving residential real estate, such as your home, to an heir in your will is possible, but a will is required to go through probate before your heirs can receive their inheritances. This means that your beneficiary may be forced to wait for months or longer before he or she is allowed to take possession of the home.

Under Illinois law, you have the ability to draft a "transfer on death instrument" that allows your chosen beneficiary to receive your interest in a residential property immediately upon your death. By using a transfer on death instrument, you can exempt the property from the probate process. Transfer on death instruments may be appropriate for those who want to avoid the delay of probate but do not have enough assets to justify the expenses associated with a living trust.

A Trusted Team Ready to Serve You

At Otte & Czajkowska, LLC, we understand that the estate planning process can be difficult and that you may have many questions along the way. That is why we take the time to educate you on your available options and provide insight as you make the necessary decisions. If you already have a will or a transfer on death instrument, but it is in need of a review or an update, we can help with that as well.

Attorneys Michael A. Otte and Izabela Czajkowska took over the former law firm of Chester M. Przybylo & Associates with the goal of continuing to help individuals and families throughout the northwest side of Chicago. We are proud to be one of very few firms in the region with an attorney who speaks Polish and who can assist Polish-speaking clients with their estate planning and elder law needs.

Call 773-631-7100 Today

If you have questions about wills or transfer on death instruments, contact our office. Call 773-631-7100 for a confidential consultation today. Our firm serves clients in Jefferson Park, Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, and throughout the northwest side of Chicago.