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The Best Protection for Your Entire Family

The Best Protection for Your Entire Family

Includes every document you, your children, and your parents need to manage and control your estate and avoid the court system.

Single or married, it is time to protect your legacy.

What is a Living Trust?

A Living Trust is an estate plan that manages your assets during your lifetime. Your Trust then efficiently and inexpensively passes your estate to your chosen beneficiaries after your death. A Living Trust is also known as an “Intervivos Trust” or “Revocable Trust.”

What is Probate?

If you become incapacitated and when you die, your estate is subject to Probate. Probate is a  court system that handles every person’s estate with assets in their name. And the system also supervises the administration and distribution of your estate at your death.

Why would you need a Living Trust?

To control and protect your estate, now and after your death.

By law, no one can sign your name. Therefore if you acquire a disability, your name can only be signed using a previously executed Financial Power of AttorneyAfter your death, your name can only be signed by an Executor who Probate Court authorizes.

Your Financial Power of Attorney revokes by operation of law at your death. Consequently, if you have assets in your name after your death, such as title to real estate or financial institution accounts, a Probate Estate must be opened. Now a judge must approve an Executor to administer your estate.

Last Will and Testament does not avoid Probate. A Will is your wish for an Executor who handles your estate and beneficiaries to receive your property after your death. A Will must be filed in Probate. Then a Probate Court judge appoints your Executor to sign your name and distribute your property.

What is wrong with Probate?

Probate is costly, it takes a long time, and because of the number of cases in the system, it is inefficient and burdens families. The Probate system cannot handle the estate of every person. If you have not made other provisions and you acquire a disability, your assets are subject to the control of the Probate court.

Your family must care for you under the direction of the court system. If you die with assets in your name, and the total collective value of your assets exceeds $100,000, your entire estate is subject to the complete Probate process.

Probate requires a minimum six-month claims period, and the entire process can take an average of 18 months to two years or more to complete

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How can Probate be avoided?

Probate is avoided with a properly drafted, executed, and funded Living Trust.

How does a Living Trust avoid Probate?

All assets in your name are retitled to the name of your Living Trust and are not subject to Probate. Your estate is administered privately and efficiently by your Successor Trustee, often one of your family members or a trusted friend. Your Trustee can also be a beneficiary of your Living Trust. The process can take only weeks or the time to transfer your assets to your beneficiaries.

What legal documents are in a Living Trust?

A complete Living Trust estate plan should include:

  1. Living Trust, 
  2. Last Will and Testament. (For you and your Spouse.) This type of Will is often referred to as a Pour-Over Will, a safety net for assets not titled in your Trust at your death. This Will pours the assets in your name out of Probate and into your Trust. 
  3. Financial Power of Attorney to appoint an agent to handle your financial affairs when you are unable to do so.
  4. Health Care Power of Attorney to appoint an agent to follow your wishes and handle your health care and life support decisions when you are unable to do so.

What are the other advantages of a Living Trust?

Some of the many advantages of a Living Trust estate plan:

  • Avoids Probate
  • Protects you in the event of your disability
  • Organizes lifetime management of your assets
  • Contains specific instructions for inheritance
  • Protects the wishes of the first spouse to die
  • Avoids the perils of joint tenancy
  • Protects against loss of benefits or government reimbursement if a beneficiary acquires a disability before your death
  • Includes assets in all states and avoids multiple state probate
  • It contains a No-Contest clause
  • Provides creditor protection for beneficiaries
  • Is revocable
  • Amended easily
  • It can be readily adapted to the laws of another state in the event you move your residence.
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A Single Living Trust includes a Free Will, Health Care and Financial Power of Attorney documents, and Free Guardianship.

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A Marital Trust includes Free Wills and Health Care Power of Attorney documents for you and your spouse and Free Guardianship.

Frequently asked questions

FAQs

I thought a Living Trust was only for wealthy people?

A Living Trust is for every person with assets over $100,000 in value. That is the Probate limit in Illinois.

We grew up hearing about “Trust Funds” and equating them to wealthy families. The truth is that 30 years ago, a Living Trust averaged $5,000 or more, which is over $11,000 in today’s dollars! That is why it was reserved for the wealthy.

Today, because of technology and especially this website, you can have Trust Funds. It has always been the same concept and process.

Now it is affordable for every person.  

How expensive is Probate?​

The average cost of Probate is $4,000 to $6,000; however, that amount is deceptive.

The actual cost of Probate varies based on several factors, including the size of your estate, the complexity, attorney fees, and whether it is contested, ect. 

The AARP estimates that Probate costs the average estate 5-10% if its value and up to 20% of smaller estates. The Estate Planning Source estimates over $50 billion is spent each year in Probate costs.

The factor that can devastate the value of an estate is whether the real estate or stock market is rising or falling.  We had seen Probate lose half its value because the market crashed before assets could be sold.

The costs keep piling up when you consider attorney fees, court costs, bond costs, and other professional fees. 

Your best approach now is to avoid the system with a Living Trust.

How does a Living Trust avoid Probate?

All assets in your name are retitled to your Living Trust and are not subject to Probate. Your Successor Trustee is often a family member or trusted friend. Your Trustee can also be a beneficiary of your Living Trust. The process can take only weeks to transfer your assets to your beneficiaries.

Who do I choose for Trustee?

You should choose the person you trust the most.

Your Successor Trustee can often be a trusted family member such as one of your children.

When asked which child you should choose, we like to say – If you have had more than one child, you know the difference! Choose the most responsible, and that is who will want the job.

Resist choosing all your children as Co-Trustees. It is inconvenient, and some children don’t want the job! They will all resent it.

What if one of my children has special circumstances?

Then a Living Trust is a perfect solution.

Suppose immaturity, an alcohol or drug problem, a difficult marriage, or financial difficulties. In that case, you can direct that this child’s portion shall remain in Trust for as long you choose and subject to any conditions you desire.

If your child has a disability, it is essential that you leave that child’s inheritance in your Living Trust with Supplemental Needs provisions added. This provision is included in your Illinois Living Trust and prevents the government from taking their inheritance as reimbursement for public benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.

Your Living Trust is as adaptable as you want it to be for your family’s circumstances and your desires.

Can someone contest my Living Trust?

Any person can try to contest your Trust. However, unless they prove fraud in creating the Trust or your incompetency in signing the documents, they must overcome your No Contest provision.

 

Our Living Trusts contain a No-Contest provision which holds that anyone who contests your Trust is treated as if they died before you. They receive nothing. 

What if one of my beneficiaries are being sued?

Spendthrift Provision protects your beneficiary’s inheritance.

If your beneficiary’s assets are at risk at your death, your Living Trust protects their inheritance from creditors or even estranged spouses.

How does my Trust protect me if I become disabled?

Since your assets are titled in your Trust name, they are not subject to Guardianship or Conservatorship in the event of your disability.  Your Successor Trustee preserves your assets outside of Probate Court and manages finances. 

Are there tax advantages with a Living Trust

Certain Trusts do have tax- saving provisions, depending on the circumstances. 

Today this type of Trust is primarily for high net worth individuals since the 2023 federal estate tax exemption is $12.9 million. There will be no estate tax if your estate is less than that figure. Certain states have an additional estate tax threshold. The estate tax in Illinois begins with an estate value of $4 million. 

Depending on the size of your estate, you should consult with an attorney and tax advisor. 

What if I own assets in multiple states?

The good news is that you can title assets in each state in your Living Trust.

The bad news is if you do not have a Living Trust, and the assets are in your name at your death; they must go through the Probate system in the state where the real estate or asset is located. An additional Probate proceeding is necessary for the state of your residence.

Multiple Probate proceedings mean more time and more cost.

What if my Trustee dies before me or refuses?

Then your Alternate Successor Trustee takes over the responsibilities. For those reasons and more you you should choose at least one alternate.

 

If you are married, remember your spouse will be the Surviving Trustee.

Does having a Living Trust complicate my life?

Not at all! Your Living Trust grants you the same powers you have now over your assets. Once you retitle your assets, you won’t even know the difference in your day- to- day financial life. 

Transparent Estate Plan Pricing and Benefits

At Illinois Living Trust we understand you have changing needs. Our estate plans are designed and customized to meet your individual and family needs. So you can edit or upgrade at any point in the process if you decide that may need additional options for you and your family.

Benefits Included Newsletter Standard Will Single Living Trust Marital Living Trust
Resources
Latest News on Estate Planning
Updates in the Law
Member Benefit Alerts
Beneficiary Designations
Financial Power of Attorney
Health Care Power of Attorney
Guardianship Designations
Add Your Spouse
Tax Benefits
No Contest Clause
Beneficiary Asset Protections
Special Needs Medicare Protections
Probate for Minors under 18
Avoid Joint Tenancy Issues
Disability Conservatorship Protections
Avoid Probate
Private
Member Customize & Update
Low Cost Administration
Download & Print

Benefits Included

Newsletter

Standard Will

Single Living Trust

Marital Living Trust

Resources

Latest News on Estate Planning

Updates in the Law

Member Benefit Alerts

Beneficiary Designations

Financial Power of Attorney

Health Care Power of Attorney

Guardianship Designations

Add Your Spouse

Tax Benefits

No Contest Clause

Beneficiary Asset Protections

Special Needs Medicare Protections

Probate for Minors under 18

Avoid Joint Tenancy Issues

Disability Conservatorship Protections

Avoid Probate

Private

Member Customize & Update

Low Cost Administration

Download & Print

Tuohy Law Offices Testimonials

5.0
Based on 46 reviews
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Jeff Reznikov
20:42 09 May 22
We had an awesome experience with Tuohy Law Office... Tom is a great attorney, wonderful, kind man, which is a rarity these days. Tom is very professional, patient and understanding. His staff is great and swift to help when needed. Make no mistake, if you found Tom, you've got a pearl.
Clinton
20:04 23 Feb 22
Much easier than we thought. At first glance it seems overwhelming but Tom and his amazing staff have everything done after a few quick questions. With my wife and I both in law enforcement this had to be done to protect our child. What a great investment on his future!
jo wh
02:06 09 Feb 22
They were available to answer questions. Their location and parking was convenient. Tom was very patient and thorough explaining things. Overall a good experience
Domenica Damato
23:19 22 Dec 21
I had the honor to be referred to Tom @Touhylawoffice and his staff which honestly was quite a privilege.He is a very kind, down to earth attorney with the willingness to share his knowledge.Our experience was very pleasant and welcoming. Tom and his staff took the time to be efficient and thorough during the consultation.Making sure the estate planning runs smoothly while answering any questions along the way. The one on one time Tom sets aside for his clients is priceless. I highly recommend Touhy Law.
Keith Ann Stiverson
21:16 28 Jul 21
Tuohy Law is the best place to go, in my case for setting up a living trust in Illinois. I have been thinking about it for a long time, but the firms I considered did not inspire confidence. A neighbor who retained Tuohy Law for similar work was happy to recommend Tom, and it’s a pleasure to give the firm a top rating. I had a great experience. Tom is a lawyer who inspires confidence and explains everything in plain English. Shelly, who runs the office, is very efficient and helpful. Both are friendly and put the client at ease. I was very satisfied with the whole experience.
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