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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Peoria

Our Recommended Top 16

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Peoria Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

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16Top Picks

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Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

416 Main Street, Peoria, IL 61602

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (21)
Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of William C. Wombacher is led by a probate and estate planning attorney in Peoria. Drawing on over 35 years of experience in estate-related matters, William C. Wombacher assists individuals and families in navigating the process of probate and estate administration, including the inventory and distribution of assets. He represents clients in probate litigation and handles intestate cases, small estate affidavits, and terminations of trusts. His other areas of expertise include estate planning and elder law.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
William Wombacher - PrincipalActive45 yrs

121 West Elm Street, Canton, IL 61520

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Review Sources

Google
4.0 (8)
Facebook
4.3 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Barnhart, Tinsman & Associates, Ltd., has been assisting clients across a full spectrum of legal matters since 1973, handling clients in the Peoria area. The team handles a variety of estate planning matters with decades of experience in preparing trusts, wills, and durable powers of attorney. The probate lawyers assist in tax planning and special-needs trust. Barnhart, Tinsman & Associates also manages family law, real estate, property law, corporate and business, and personal injury. Its owner, Nicholas Tinsman, joined the firm in 2011.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Nicholas Tinsman - PartnerActive13 yrs

2203 E. Empire St., Suite G, Bloomington, IL 61704

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Review Sources

Google
4.9 (49)
Facebook
5.0 (22)

Why choose this provider?

Ritchie Law Office, Ltd, provides legal counsel to Peoria residents who want to establish their legacies through probate. It utilizes a client-centered process that includes steps, like conducting legacy planning sessions, preparing probate asset diagrams, and drafting estate planning documents. It also maintains clients' wills and trusts as a part of the firm's RLO CARE program. Sole shareholder, Chad A. Ritchie, was named as one of the, "10 Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Illinois for Client Satisfaction," by American Institute of Legal Counsel.

  • Estate Planning

5901 N. Knoxville Avenue, Suite #101, Peoria, IL 61614

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

McQuellon Law Office is a private multi-practice firm that represents individuals, families, and businesses in Peoria and the surrounding areas. Its team provides legal guidance for a wide variety of personal contracts, including wills and trusts. It also handles residential and commercial leases, business contracts, and real estate contracts. In addition, the firm assists with real estate valuations and tax assessment appeals. Principal attorney Robert W. McQuellon III has been practicing law for more than two decades.

  • Trusts
  • Wills

415 Hamilton Blvd, Peoria, IL 61602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (8)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Cusack & Gilfillan Attorneys at Law has been catering to clients in Peoria and nearby areas for over 40 years. It deals with a wide range of probate matters, including asset transfers through court process and preparation of small estate affidavits and probate alternative documents. It also assists in administering trust upon the client's death. Daniel P. Cusack, one of the firm's attorneys, is a member of various professional organizations, such as the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Shaun Cusack - Senior AssociateActive14 yrs

1230 W. Candletree Drive Suite A, Peoria, IL 61614
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Ketra A. Mytich Attorney & Counselor at Law assists clients in Peoria in probate proceedings following the death of a loved one. It supports the decedent's executor in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities, such as reviewing executed wills, gathering assets, managing taxes, collecting death benefits, and creating sub-trusts. It also offers estate planning services to clients while they are still living. Founding lawyer Ketra Mytich has been in practice for over two decades. She is a member of NNEPA and a co-founding fellow of EPICOR.

  • Estate Planning

411 Hamilton Blvd. Ste. 1928, Peoria, IL 61602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (9)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Louis P. Milot handles probate matters for Peoria residents. It advises first-time clients about the probate process and teaches them the executor duties, from contacting relevant parties to properly distributing all assets and trust funds. The office also represents clients in court for disputes regarding the appointed executors and the validity of wills. Louis P. Milot has been practicing probate and family law for over 30 years. In 2017, he was honored with the Family Defender Award by The Family Defense Center.

  • Estate Planning

One Technology Plaza 211 Fulton Street Suite 600, Peoria, IL 61602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.4 (10)
Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Howard & Howard offers legal services to individuals and businesses in the Peoria metro. It handles probate proceedings and represents trustees, grantors, beneficiaries, and personal representatives in disputes over will and trust contents; guardianship and conservatorship; tax audits and controversies; and contested estates. It also deals with estate planning methods, working to create an organized and orderly wealth distribution. With over 150 years of experience, the firm has represented clients through a multifunctional and integrated approach, employing a team of cross-disciplinary lawyers.

  • Estate Planning

7620 North University Street, Peoria, IL 61614
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Heiple Law Offices is a general practice law firm in Peoria that offers probate and estate planning services. Its legal team is led by probate attorney Jeremy Heiple, who began his law career in 1987, and Jonathan Heiple, who started practicing law in 1992. The law firm handles matters involving guardianships and provides families with assistance throughout the process of administering an estate. Its other practice areas include personal injury and workers’ compensation claims.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jeremy Heiple - PrincipalActive37 yrs

​​456 Fulton St, Peoria, IL 61602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (43)
Avvo
5.0 (15)
FindLaw
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Hanauer Law is a full-service law firm that serves families and businesses in Peoria. Its primary attorney, Rob Hanauer, takes on cases involving estate planning, family law, criminal defense, business litigation, and personal injury. His estate planning representation includes drafting wills, small estate affidavits, and powers of attorney. He was featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX News. Rob is a member of the National and Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

100 North Main Street, Morton, IL 61550
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Benckendorf & Benckendorf, P.C. provides the services of probate and estate planning attorneys in Peoria and Morton. The law firm has been serving the central Illinois area since 1981. Its lawyers offer their expertise in sophisticated estate planning as well as probate and estate administration. They help clients navigate the process of settling estates of various sizes, assisting in identifying and transferring assets and preparing estate tax returns. They also handle guardianships, small estate affidavits, and estate claims.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Lynne Binkele - PartnerActive27 yrs
James Benckendorf - PartnerActive36 yrs

416 Main St., Suite 323, Peoria, IL 61602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Cassidy & Mueller, P.C., is a civil litigation firm that has been serving individuals in Peoria and the nearby metros for more than 90 years. It provides representation in a variety of cases such as health care litigation, liability insurance coverage, construction-related injury, and civil tort. One of the firm's lawyers, David B. Mueller, handles estate and trust litigation and has been practicing law since 1966. He is a recipient of the PCBA Distinguished Community Service Award.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

7800 North Sommer Street, Peoria, IL 61615
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (8)
Google
3.4 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Johnson, Bunce & Noble, P.C. is a Peoria-based law firm providing probate and estate administration services. The firm was founded in 1946. Its probate attorneys offer their expertise in various matters related to estate planning, probate, and estate administration. They advise on how to limit probate and tax requirements and assist in the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives. They also help clients navigate the transfer of assets and resolve estate-related disputes.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Kane - CounselActive48 yrs
Frederick Johnson - PrincipalActive56 yrs

416 Main Street, Peoria, IL 61602

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Elias, Meginnes & Seghetti, P.C. is a business-focused law firm that handles estate planning and serves clients in Peoria and its surrounding areas. It has been offering legal services for more than two decades. The firm's estate planning and probate attorneys primarily cater to owners of closely-held businesses, assisting them in comprehensive estate planning, business succession planning, and taxation strategies. They handle matters like estate and gift taxes, family limited partnerships, and testamentary trusts.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
John Elias - Founding MemberActive45 yrs

416 Main St Suite 813, Peoria, IL 61602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (10)
Google
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Dunlap Law Office, P.C., has been offering legal services from its Peoria office since 2014. The firm provides assistance in preparing wills, which involves informing clients about issues regarding estate taxes. Its attorney, Blake E. Dunlap, also prepares advanced medical directives. In addition, he handles family law matters, covering adoption. The lawyer helps clients in the process of adopting stepchildren and bringing children from overseas to the country. Dunlap has been licensed to practice in the state since 2001.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Blake Dunlap - FounderActive23 yrs

324 W Main St Havana, IL 62644, Havana, IL 62644

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Charles Kim Smith Attorney at Law is a family-owned law firm providing Peoria clients with probate and estate-related services. Probate attorney Charles Kim Smith began his Illinois law practice in 1979 and works from his office in Petersburg. Apart from helping clients navigate the process of probate and estate or trust administration, he also practices in the area of estate planning. He handles wills, trusts, and powers of attorney and advises clients on avoiding probate and minimizing tax exposure.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Charles Smith - PrincipalActive45 yrs

Disclaimer:  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 with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

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

    Call the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521 for non-emergencies.

  • What are the similarities and differences between an executor and an administrator in Peoria probate law?

    Under the probate laws which apply in Peoria, administrators handle the affairs of an estate whenever decedents die without a will and are named by the court. On the other hand, executors are named by testators in a will. Both persons have the job of determining the extent of the departed's assets, paying off the outstanding obligations, and finally releasing the respective shares to the heirs.

  • What are the standard methods of minimizing the strain of probate in Peoria?

    The standard methods of minimizing probate stress in Peoria are part of a process called estate planning. This includes the institution of trusts, joint ownerships, durable powers of attorney, life insurance policies with separate beneficiaries other than the estate, and wills. The goal is to minimize the number of assets solely owned by the testator upon death because co-owned properties transfer without probate.

  • If an adopted child retains the same rights as a biological child in Peoria, why is it still preferable to leave behind a will instead of leaving everything to the intestate court?

    While the law in Peoria treats adopted children the same as biological children when it comes to inheritance without a will, the testator may have multiple assets domiciled in several jurisdictions. The rules in each jurisdiction may differ as to the inheritance rights of the adopted, in some cases treating them on unequal footing with biological offspring. It is preferable to remove all uncertainties with a will.

  • Why is it preferable to have a will when someone in Peoria has stepkids?

    It is best to have a will in Peoria to protect the inheritance interests of stepchildren. By the laws governing intestate succession, stepchildren do not have a share in the decedent's estate unless they were formally adopted. Should the testator wish to leave the stepchildren a legacy but not familial status, a will is the most expeditious way to achieve this goal.

  • If the testator's 14-year-old daughter made an attempt on the former's life, how may the offspring be disinherited in Peoria?

    The daughter may be disinherited in Peoria, but she has to reach the age of 18 first. It is not legal to remove an offspring from succession while still a minor. Upon reaching adulthood, a statement of disinheritance is placed on the will and this is an overt statement that the named child should get nothing. No reason needs to be stated for the parent's decision.