Probate Administration

Palatine, Illinois Probate Attorneys

Efficient, Affordable Estate Administration

Settling an estate can be relatively simple, or complex and time-consuming, depending upon both the size and character of the assets of the deceased. At Molohon Sandquist & James, LLP, we offer the services of veteran probate counsel to executors and court-appointed administrators alike.

Chicago • Arlington Heights • Schaumburg • Chicagoland Suburbs

Contact us at 847-241-4460 to arrange a consultation. We guide clients through the entire probate administration process. Our Palatine, Illinois firm serves clients in DuPage County, Cook County and the greater Chicagoland area, including out-of-state executors whose family member died in Illinois.

We also handle litigation of contested wills.

Probate Administration and Trust Administration

In Illinois, it typically takes at least seven months for the probate of an uncontested will to be completed. However, it may take more than a year if any legal challenges arise during the process. At Molohon Sandquist & James, LLP, we aim to settle the estate with the least amount of expense, time, and conflict. We assist executors or administrators in understanding their obligations, which include:

• Filing and presenting the will
• Gathering and inventory of assets
• Investing or managing assets held in trust
• Paying debts of the estate (we contact known creditors, and often can negotiate down credit card balances on behalf of the estate)
• Notifying all known and reasonably ascertainable creditors of the estate
• Pursuing any actions, such as judgments or outstanding accounts receivable owed to the estate
• Defending against unfounded or frivolous claims
• Distributing remaining assets to heirs and others entitled to distributions
• Preparing income and estate tax returns

Expedited Processing for Small Estates

Estates with a gross value of under $100,000 may skip the probate process entirely. We assist clients in filing the Small Estate Affidavit for the most efficient disposition. Our lawyers will make every effort to keep costs reasonable by billing hourly instead of taking a percentage of the estate's value.

Experienced Probate Administration: 847-241-4460

We can either assist executors with legal advice, or handle all probate administration matters on behalf of an elderly or disinterested client. Contact a Palatine probate lawyer at Molohon Sandquist & James, LLP, for efficient, cost-effective estate administration. We accept both Visa and MasterCard.