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What is an estate plan?

A comprehensive estate plan includes three components:

  1. Incapacity planning by answering important questions now in case you are unable to later.

    • Who will make medical decisions for you when you cannot?

    • What are your end-of-life wishes?

    • How do you want your property and money managed on your behalf while you are incapacitated?

  2. Death planning by enabling you to give what you have to whom you want in the way you want.

  3. Legacy planning by conveying your traditions, values, hopes, and dreams to your loved ones when you have died.

What if I do not have an estate plan?

Using Illinois default law, the courts will decide who will:

  • Make financial and medical decisions for you if you cannot

  • Be given your personal items and when they will be received

A few documents involved in estate planning:

Last Will and Testament

  • Names a person to oversee your affairs at death (executor)

  • Plans for what happens to your accounts and property at death

  • Is a public document and may require court supervision for administration

  • A will-based estate plan is best for those who understand their assets will be given outright at their death and whose estates are under the monetary threshold of probate. Will-based plans are more likely to be subject to probate.

Revocable Living Trust

  • Names someone to oversee your affairs both during life and at death (trustee)

  • Handles what happens to your accounts and property during incapacity and at death

  • Can be privately administered – is not submitted to probate court

  • A trust-based estate plan is best for those who want to assure their legacy will be passed to their children or heirs with the utmost ease and convenience and can avoid probate and its costs.

Illinois Power of Attorney for Property

  • Financial power of attorney recognized in Illinois that allows you to appoint an agent to make decisions or carry out financial transactions (sign checks, open a bank account, etc.) on your behalf

  • Can avoid the need for court if you become incapacitated

Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care

  • Health care document that allows you to appoint a trusted person to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make or communicate your wishes

  • Can avoid court involvement

  • Choose this person wisely – Can the person handle this responsibility? Can the person be at your side in an emergency?

Every estate plan with Sarah Forzley Pocic LLC includes:

A planning meeting, signing ceremony with a notary and two witnesses, and your original documents. During the planning meeting, we will discuss whether a will-based or trust-based estate plan best fits your needs.

“She answered any questions we had and was very thoughtful on helping us pick options that worked best for our family. We highly recommend Sarah for any and all of your legal needs.”

— Client of Sarah Forzley Pocic LLC

Questions before getting started?