Business Details
Estate Planning Lawyers in Oak Brook, IL
The Law Offices Of Melanie Tavare specializes in personalized estate planning solutions, guiding clients through the creation of wills, trusts, and legal documents to secure their legacy. With over 38 years of legal experience and a dual background as an attorney and Certified Public Accountant, Robert Schaller provides tailored services to meet individual client needs. The firm emphasizes clear communication, meticulous attention to detail, and affordable pricing, ensuring clients understand complex legal concepts while maintaining trust and integrity.Having assisted over 3,000 clients, the firm combines technical expertise with a client-centered approach to address estate planning challenges efficiently. Committed to accessibility, the firm offers flexible meeting options, including in-person and virtual consultations, to serve clients across Illinois.
Services
Last Will and Testament
Living Trust
Special Needs Trust
Power of Attorney
Probate Guidance
Highlights and features
- We offer 38+ years of combined legal and financial expertise.
- Our team provides personalized estate planning tailored to individual needs.
- We prioritize clear communication of complex legal concepts.
- Our firm maintains a steadfast commitment to client trust and integrity.
- We guarantee affordable pricing with flexible payment arrangements.
Associations and certifications
- Registered Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
What people say
Caring and compassionate
Very honest
Expertise in estate planning
Made experience pleasant
Quick response times
Services
Last Will and Testament
Our Last Will and Testament service ensures your final wishes are legally documented, covering asset distribution, minor child guardianship, and executor appointments. We provide clear guidance to create binding documents that reflect your intentions while complying with Illinois law. This service offers peace of mind through precise legal execution and personalized review.
Living Trust
The Living Trust service establishes a flexible estate planning tool that allows asset management during your lifetime and seamless transfer upon death. We design trusts to avoid probate, maintain privacy, and ensure continuity of asset control. Our approach balances legal requirements with your specific financial and family circumstances for optimal protection.
Special Needs Trust
Our Special Needs Trust service creates legal protections for beneficiaries receiving government benefits, preserving eligibility while providing supplemental financial support. We structure trusts to cover quality-of-life expenses without compromising Medicaid or SSI eligibility, ensuring long-term security through precise legal frameworks tailored to individual care requirements.
Power of Attorney
We draft Powers of Attorney to designate trusted representatives for financial or medical decisions during incapacity. Our documents meet Illinois legal standards while addressing your specific authority preferences, preventing potential conflicts through clear scope definitions and contingency planning for both short- and long-term needs.
Probate Guidance
Our Probate Guidance service assists executors in navigating post-death estate administration, including asset inventory, debt settlement, and distribution compliance. We provide step-by-step legal support to fulfill will terms efficiently while minimizing family disputes, ensuring adherence to Illinois probate laws throughout the process.
People
Robert Schaller
Attorney & Founder
Attorney Robert Schaller combines 38+ years of legal experience with CPA credentials to deliver comprehensive estate planning solutions. A published author and national speaker, he has guided over 3,000 clients through complex estate matters while maintaining active Illinois Supreme Court licensure.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
Essential documents include a Last Will, Living Trust, Powers of Attorney, and Healthcare Directives. We customize combinations based on your family structure, asset portfolio, and long-term goals during our initial consultation.
How does a Living Trust avoid probate?
A properly funded Living Trust transfers asset ownership to the trust during your lifetime, allowing direct beneficiary distribution without court involvement. This maintains privacy and expedites asset transfer after death.
Can I update my estate plan?
Yes, we recommend reviewing plans every 3-5 years or after major life events. Updates require formal amendments called 'restatements' to maintain legal validity while incorporating new circumstances.
What happens without an estate plan?
Illinois intestacy laws would determine asset distribution, potentially causing family conflicts and unintended beneficiaries. Guardianship appointments for minors would also default to court decisions without your documented preferences.
How are attorney fees structured?
We offer flat fees for standard plans, hourly rates for complex cases, and limited-scope engagements. Costs depend on document complexity, with transparent pricing discussed before initiating any work.
Can I meet virtually?
Yes, we provide secure Zoom consultations for document review and planning discussions, maintaining the same legal rigor as in-office meetings while offering scheduling flexibility for Illinois residents.
