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Best Probate Lawyers in Decatur

2023

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Website
225 S Main St Ste 100, Decatur, IL 62523
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Andrew Bourey of Bourey Law Offices is a probate lawyer in Decatur in practice for over 35 years. Attorney Bourey assists clients with the preparation of estate documents to help protect assets and designate funds to named heirs and beneficiaries. Specific areas of estate planning the firm assists with include drafting and review of last wills and testaments, setting up living trusts, and preparation of medical and financial powers of attorney agreements.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Andrew Bourey - Principal/Sole Practitioner21 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
3.8 / 5 (42)
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (14)
Yelp
4.7 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
401 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL 61953
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Chad S. Beckett of Beckett Law Office PC is a probate attorney near Decatur who represents families and individuals in probate and estate litigation proceedings. Attorney Beckett has over two decades of experience in estate and family law, and he assists executors and personal representatives with matters such as asset transfers, estate accounting, and distribution of decedents' assets to beneficiaries. Mr. Beckett assists parties with creating estate plans that consist of wills, trusts, and other planning documents, and he provides advice on estate taxes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Chad Beckett - Principal25 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
225 N Water St, Decatur, IL 62523
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Keith W. Casteel of Samuels Miller Law Firm is a probate attorney in Decatur with over three decades of legal experience. Attorney Casteel and the firm's estate law team handle probate administrations and assist executors with matters such as liquidating assets, discovery and recovery of assets, estate disputes, and final distribution of assets. In addition to probate litigation, the firm's attorneys provide estate planning services that include preparation of documents such as powers of attorney agreements and medical directives, estate tax advising, and setting up trusts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Jackson - Partner49 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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Website
2905 North Main Street, Decatur, IL 62526
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Located in Decatur, Edwards Law Group LLC is an elder law legal practice that represents parties in probate proceedings. When probate is a required step to settle an estate, the firm's attorneys assist with matters such as reviewing last wills and testaments, submitting petitions and other probate documents to the courts, resolution of disputes between beneficiaries, and final distribution of assets. The practice assists with administration of private trusts, and it offers estate planning services.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Edwards - Principal28 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
101 S. State Street, Suite 102, Decatur, IL 62523
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Handegan Law Office & First Illinois Title Group LLC offers legal assistance from its Decatur and Sullivan locations. Its team of attorneys guides clients in several areas, including probate and estate planning. Nancy Handegan, one of the firm's estate planning attorneys, has guided heirs in navigating the probate process. She has also helped siblings divide properties amicably and created estate plans for families to help them preserve farmlands and protect assets. Handegan established the legal firm in 2003.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Nancy Handegan - Partner40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.2 / 5 (16)
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1215 South 4th Street, Springfield, IL 62703
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Sheehan & Sheehan Lawyers PC is a legal firm based in the Decatur metro area that provides legal representation that handles the probate, non-probate, and estate administration matters. When probate is required to settle an estate, the firm's attorneys provide guidance to executors and personal representatives in areas such as petition filing, distribution of assets, paying off decedent debts and taxes, and liquidating the estate. In addition to probate, the firm offers estate planning services that include preparing powers of attorney agreements and setting up trust accounts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Patrick Sheehan - Partner46 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
1.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
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Helpfulness
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Detail
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Website
2456 North Main Street, Decatur, IL 62526
  • Wills
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

GreenLeaf Law Office serves clients in Decatur and the surrounding areas. The firm provides counsel to individuals who need help in probate law matters such as estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship. John GreenLeaf Jr., its sole practitioner, has over 42 years of experience in protecting the assets of his clients. He also handles bankruptcy law, elder law, and other areas of practice, and helps businesses get a fresh start with partnership, LLC, and corporation formation.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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Website
132 S. Water St. Suite 429, Decatur, IL 62523
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Parish & Castleman is a Decatur-based law firm that has been operating since 1906. It offers legal representation in formal or informal probate proceedings. Its sole practitioner, Darrel F. Parish, has more than 40 years of experience assisting executors in administering estates and dealing with probate-related issues. Parish also handles cases involving estate planning, personal injury, and business and real estate. He is a member of the Macon County Farm Bureau and serves as the president of the Macon County Conservation District.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Darrel Parish - Partner48 yrs

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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Website
1 Southeast Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Delano Law Office LLC is a law practice serving clients in the Decatur metro area that assists parties with probate administration and litigation matters. Attorney Sarah Delano Pavik handles the firm's estate law cases. She assists fiduciaries in navigating the probate process, and she represents parties in litigation proceedings when there are claims against estates or disputes between interested parties. In addition to probate administration, the firm offers estate planning services such as preparation of charitable trusts, advising on estate taxes, and drafting wills.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Charles Delano - Partner34 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (23)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
101 South Main Street, Decatur, IL 62523
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Hughes, Tenney & Postlewait & Coale LLC is a law firm in Decatur that handles estate planning, trusts, and probate matters. The practice was founded in 1997, and its estate law team assists parties with creating estate plans consisting of wills, trusts, and other financial and medical directive documents. When estates are required to go through probate, the firm's attorneys provide legal guidance throughout the proceedings. Additional practice areas the firm handles include business law and personal injury.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
R. Postlewait - Partner38 yrs
Quentin Lewis - Associate13 yrs
Charles Hughes - Partner45 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Decatur, Illinois?

    The non-emergency police number in Decatur is (217) 424-2711.

  • What are the pros and cons of estate planning in Decatur?

    In Decatur, estate planning is a useful way to prevent difficulties in distributing assets upon death. It included processes like drafting a last will and testament, establishing a trust, and devising transfers over the course of one's life to minimize the inheritance taxes due down the line. The downside is that it is an emotionally taxing process owing to its morbid subject matter.

  • Does a last will and testament in Decatur solely concern itself with the distribution of assets upon death?

    No, a last will and testament in Decatur goes beyond the distribution of properties upon death. While this is the primary purpose of a will, it is also useful for ancillary issues. One is naming the trusted individuals who will support and raise any minor or incapacitated offspring after death, or once the testator loses the ability to handle personal affairs.

  • Why would anyone in Decatur opt to reject an inheritance?

    While it is counterintuitive in Decatur to turn down an inheritance, it may be the best thing to do in certain situations. The property inherited could be a high-maintenance and low-yield plot of land that would cost more to spruce up than it would earn in rentals or sales. An heir may be tight on cash and be unable to pay the corresponding taxes on the property. Those receiving government aid may also lose eligibility by becoming richer.

  • When will stepchildren in Decatur inherit from stepparents?

    Stepchildren in Decatur will inherit from stepparents if the latter opts to leave behind a last will and testament which names the kids as heirs and leaves behind corresponding shares. If there is no will, inheritance hinges on formal adoption since an adopted child is legally the same as a biological child for intestacy purposes.

  • Is it advisable for a person in Decatur to disinherit a spouse?

    It is not advisable in Decatur to disinherit a spouse as the process is close to impossible. The community property established during the marriage is a co-ownership regime and the partner automatically gets the proceeds and assets once the other dies. The remedy is not to disinherit in the will but to have signed a prenuptial agreement, or a postnuptial document after divorce.

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