Administering a will or trust involves more than simply distributing assets. Executors, trustees, and beneficiaries must navigate a process that often includes probate court, tax filings, fiduciary duties, and legal deadlines. Buckley Fine provides the experienced legal support needed to carry out those responsibilities properly and with confidence.

We represent clients throughout Northern Illinois, including Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties. Whether you are handling a straightforward estate or a more complex trust, our attorneys guide you through each step of the process. We are here to ensure compliance with court procedures, resolve disputes when necessary, and minimize delays or legal complications.

Our goal is to ease the burden on your family while protecting the integrity of your loved one's wishes. We provide clear communication, practical guidance, and compassionate service throughout the entire administration process.

Probate Court & Estate Administration

The probate process in Illinois can be complex and time-consuming. We help executors prepare court filings, notify beneficiaries, manage estate assets, pay debts and taxes, and ensure that all legal requirements are met in a timely manner.

GET STARTED
GET STARTED

Trust Administration

Trustees are held to high fiduciary standards under Illinois law. Our attorneys assist with every aspect of trust administration, including interpreting trust terms, managing distributions, preparing accountings, and communicating with beneficiaries.

Contested Estates & Trusts

Disputes can arise during the administration of an estate or trust, particularly when documents are unclear or family members disagree. We represent executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in resolving conflicts while striving to preserve family relationships and protect the intentions of the decedent.

GET STARTED

ESTATE & TRUST ADMINISTRATION ATTORNEYS

Buckley Fine's estate and trust administration attorneys serve families across Barrington and the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. We are committed to helping you navigate this difficult time with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Schedule your consultation today to learn how we can support you through the administration process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate & Trust Administration

Estate administration is the legal process of managing and distributing a deceased person's assets. In Illinois, this includes identifying heirs, settling debts, filing tax returns, and distributing property according to the will or state law if there is no will.

Trust administration involves managing and distributing assets held in a trust, often without going through probate. Estate administration typically involves probate and applies to assets not held in trust.

While not always required, working with an experienced estate and trust administration attorney can help avoid mistakes, ensure legal compliance, and reduce the risk of disputes among beneficiaries.

If someone dies without a will in Illinois, their estate is distributed according to the state's intestate succession laws. A court-appointed administrator will manage the estate, and assets will be distributed to heirs based on a legal hierarchy.

Executors and trustees must gather assets, pay debts and taxes, keep detailed records, and distribute the estate or trust assets to beneficiaries. They are legally obligated to act in the best interests of the estate or trust.

The process can take several months to over a year, depending on the size and complexity of the estate, whether probate is required, and if there are disputes among heirs or creditors.

Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's assets. In Illinois, probate is generally required if the estate's assets exceed $100,000 or if there is real estate involved and no joint ownership or beneficiary designation.

Assets held in a properly funded trust typically bypass probate and can be distributed directly to beneficiaries, which often saves time and legal costs.

Buckley Fine provides estate and trust administration services to families in Barrington, Lake County, Cook County, and surrounding areas. Our attorneys guide executors, trustees, and beneficiaries through every step of the process.

Federal and Illinois estate tax returns may be required, along with the decedent's final income tax return and possibly fiduciary income tax returns for the estate or trust.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Buckley Fine attorneys are licensed in
Illinois | Arizona | District of Columbia | Florida | Maryland | Washington | Wisconsin