Business Details
Estate Planning Attorneys in Illinois | Law Offices Of Melanie Tavare
At Law Offices Of Melanie Tavare, we specialize in estate planning services designed to secure your legacy and protect your loved ones. With over 38 years of experience, our team provides personalized legal solutions tailored to your unique needs, ensuring all documents reflect your intentions accurately. Our attorney guides clients through the entire process, offering in-person or Zoom consultations for convenience. We pride ourselves on reasonable pricing, transparent fee structures, and a commitment to client satisfaction.As a nationally recognized speaker and author of 24 legal books, Attorney Robert Schaller combines legal expertise with accounting proficiency to deliver comprehensive estate planning strategies. Our firm has helped over 3,000 clients achieve peace of mind through customized wills, trusts, and probate services while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
Services
Last Will and Testament
Living Trust
Special-Needs Trust
Blended Family Trust
Power of Attorney
Probate Services
Guardianship Designations
Estate Tax Planning
Incapacity Planning
Legal Document Review
Highlights and features
- 38 years of legal experience in estate planning
- Combines legal and accounting expertise for comprehensive solutions
- Personalized approach tailored to individual client needs
- Transparent pricing with flat fee and hourly options
- Immediate availability for Zoom or in-office consultations
Associations and certifications
- Illinois Supreme Court
- CPA, Illinois
What people say
Knowledge, friendliness
Very honest
Available to answer questions
Explains the law
Took my worries away
Services
Last Will and Testament
A legally binding document outlining asset distribution and guardianship after death. Ensures your wishes are followed while avoiding state default allocations. Includes executor appointment and funeral instructions for comprehensive estate management.
Living Trust
Estate planning tool avoiding probate through asset transfer during lifetime. Provides control over distribution, privacy protection, and incapacity planning. Ideal for complex family situations and tax-efficient wealth transfer.
Special-Needs Trust
Protects government benefit eligibility while providing financial support for disabled beneficiaries. Manages assets for quality-of-life improvements without disqualifying Medicaid or SSI benefits. Includes professional trustee management options.
Blended Family Trust
Estate solution for remarried individuals balancing spouse and children's needs. Ensures spouse financial security while preserving inheritance for prior marriage children. Minimizes family conflicts through structured asset distribution.
Power of Attorney
Designates trusted agents for financial and medical decision-making during incapacity. Includes healthcare proxies and property management authority. Prevents court intervention through pre-selected trusted representatives.
People
Robert Schaller
Attorney & CPA
38-year legal expert with CPA certification, author of 24 legal books. Specializes in estate planning, tax law, and trust creation. Serves Illinois communities through personalized legal solutions and national speaking engagements.
Questions
What estate planning documents are essential?
Wills, living trusts, power of attorney, and healthcare directives form the foundation of comprehensive estate planning.
How does a living trust avoid probate?
Assets transferred to a living trust bypass probate court, enabling direct distribution to beneficiaries while maintaining privacy.
Can I update my estate plan?
Yes, revocable trusts and wills can be modified to reflect changing circumstances or family needs.
What happens without an estate plan?
State laws determine asset distribution, potentially conflicting with your wishes and causing family disputes.
How are special needs beneficiaries protected?
Special needs trusts preserve government benefits while providing supplemental financial support through structured distributions.
