Security For The Future With Professional Estate Planning
We don’t know what the future brings, but we can prepare for the most unexpected situations with savvy estate planning. A solid estate plan ensures that you have provided for the people you love, that you’ve made your wishes known, including your funeral, and that if you become incapacitated, someone you trust can handle your finances and make medical decisions on your behalf. A comprehensive estate plan, created by our experienced Lisle, IL estate planning lawyer, provides a road map for your family so they can settle your estate without conflict, reduce estate taxes, and preserve everything you’ve worked so hard for.
The attorneys at Madden Law LLC offer client-centered estate planning services tailored to your current financial situation, goals, and obligations to people you love. We create the right estate planning documents for you, revise an existing estate plan, and answer your questions about wealth preservation and protection. We invite you to call us or use our online contact form today to get started.
Click here TO SCHEDULE A No-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION
How Our Lisle Estate Planning Lawyer Helps You
An estate planning lawyer creates wills, trusts, advanced directives, and power-of-attorney forms for individuals and families. Your estate consists of all your money, property, house, and assets. Your estate plan directs how you want your assets distributed after you pass away through a will, including giving specific amounts or items to particular people or charitable organizations.
There is much more to an estate plan than writing a will. For example, if you have minor children, you can state the person you want to have as a guardian for your minor children, or include a guardianship document in your estate plan. You can also set up a trust for that child’s education and other expenses, so that their guardian has the means to provide the kind of life you want them to have, and your child can pursue their educational and career dreams.
If you’re concerned about who will manage your investments or your business if you get into an accident or become ill and cannot make these decisions yourself, your estate plan can include a financial power of attorney or an advanced directive to ensure that your interests are properly managed.
The documents in your estate plan should work for you and your financial goals. Our law firm explains the possibilities open to you under Illinois law and creates the right documents to honor your wishes.
You Need An Estate Plan—And We’re Here To Help
Many people believe that estate plans, including trusts, are only for the wealthy, but an estate plan protects every aspect of your life. Even if you don’t have a lot of money now, there are likely things that you wish to protect, like special heirlooms or your healthcare wishes. Your estate plan preserves your possessions and honors your medical treatment wishes, including stating procedures that you do not want performed on you.
Are you worried about what will happen to your family after you pass away? Do you have minor children that you want to protect and provide for? Our Lisle estate planning lawyer is here to help you develop the right estate plan to cover all your responsibilities and obligations, with precisely crafted legal documents that stand up to a challenge and probate court. Please contact Madden Law LLC for a confidential consultation.
Types Of Estate Planning Cases We Handle
At Madden Law LLC, we help clients address important estate planning matters with careful attention and practical solutions. Thoughtful planning allows individuals and families to protect assets, provide for loved ones, and make sure their wishes are carried out even if unforeseen circumstances arise. Estate planning is not only about distributing wealth—it is also about minimizing family conflict, reducing tax burdens, and planning for potential healthcare and financial decisions in the future. David Madden, our lead attorney, founded Madden Law LLC in 2025 after a successful twenty-year career representing corporations and high-net-worth individuals at national and regional firms. With decades of experience, Dave now focuses on delivering cost-effective legal solutions to individuals and businesses in his local community. Our Lisle, IL estate planning lawyers practice bankruptcy, estate planning, small business planning, commercial litigation, and collections. We take pride in helping clients create clear, comprehensive, and actionable estate plans that provide peace of mind.
Wills And Testamentary Documents
We assist clients in creating wills that reflect their wishes for distributing property and assets. When disputes arise, we represent families in contesting or defending the validity of a will.
Trust Creation And Disputes
Trusts can provide valuable benefits for asset management and protection. We help clients establish trusts and also handle conflicts over their administration, modification, or distribution.
Powers Of Attorney
Powers of attorney allow someone to make financial or healthcare decisions on another’s behalf. We prepare these documents and represent families when disputes arise over their use.
Healthcare Directives And Living Wills
Advance healthcare directives give individuals control over medical choices if they become unable to communicate. We prepare and review these documents to make sure clients’ preferences are respected.
Guardianship And Conservatorship Cases
When an individual cannot manage their own affairs, a guardian or conservator may be appointed. Our Lisle estate planning lawyers represent families in both establishing and challenging these arrangements.
Business Succession Planning
Family businesses often need succession plans to protect ownership and continuity. We help business owners develop strategies and also represent families when disputes over succession occur.
Probate And Estate Administration Disputes
Probate can bring conflicts over how an estate is managed or distributed. We represent executors, beneficiaries, and families in resolving these matters in court.
Beneficiary Disagreements
Beneficiaries may disagree about how assets are distributed or managed within an estate plan. We handle these cases with a focus on protecting our clients’ rights and interests.
Asset Protection Strategies
We work with clients to structure estate plans that reduce risks and protect wealth for future generations. Disputes may arise, and we represent families in resolving those conflicts.
Charitable Giving Plans
Some clients include charitable contributions in their estate plans. We prepare these arrangements and handle disputes when questions arise about whether charitable gifts are being honored.
Let Us Help
Estate planning is about more than documents. It is about protecting people, relationships, and the future. At Madden Law LLC, our Lisle estate planning lawyer team is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and small business owners with personalized and reliable legal guidance that addresses both current needs and long-term goals. If you are seeking help, contact us today to discuss your situation, plan for the future, and gain peace of mind knowing your interests and those of your loved ones are protected with clarity and care.
7 Steps In The Estate Planning Process
Creating a clear, effective estate plan gives families confidence and long-term stability. Our Lisle, IL estate planning lawyer guides clients through every stage of this process with careful preparation and informed legal insight. Our founder and managing attorney, David Madden, brings more than 20 years of experience practicing law, allowing us to offer reliable solutions tailored to each client’s goals. We focus on protecting your interests with proven legal strategies that reflect the realities of modern estate planning.
Below are the seven major steps involved in building a strong plan.
Step #1 Collect Key Personal and Financial Information
The first step is gathering a clear picture of your current circumstances. This includes reviewing property ownership, financial accounts, insurance policies, business interests, family considerations, and long-term goals. Understanding your full asset profile helps us identify what needs protection and how that protection should take shape. During this stage, clients often discover opportunities to streamline accounts or update outdated documents. By taking a thorough approach at the start, we create the foundation for a plan that reflects your priorities and protects your loved ones.
Step #2 Identify Your Goals and Priorities
Every estate plan is driven by personal values. Some clients want to support their children, others hope to shield assets, and many want a structured plan for incapacity. This step focuses on outlining what matters most—your beneficiaries, your long-term plans, and the legacy you want to leave. We talk through major decisions, potential challenges, and the outcomes you want to achieve. Clear goals help determine whether you need a will, trust, powers of attorney, or additional tools to support your objectives.
Step #3 Create or Update Your Will
A will remains a core part of most estate plans. It outlines how property should be distributed, names guardians for minor children, and appoints a personal representative to handle your estate. Even if you have an existing will, life changes often require updates. We review your document to confirm it reflects your current wishes and complies with Illinois law. A well-drafted will helps avoid disputes and provides loved ones with clarity during a difficult time.
Step #4 Consider Forming a Trust
Not every estate plan needs a trust, but for many, it offers valuable benefits. Trusts help streamline asset transfers, add privacy, and reduce reliance on the probate process. During this step, we discuss whether a trust supports your goals, such as long-term planning, asset protection, or providing structure for beneficiaries. If it aligns with your objectives, we walk you through the types of trusts that may be appropriate and explain how they work. This step is optional but often creates meaningful advantages for families seeking additional flexibility and protection.
Step #5 Establish Powers of Attorney
Planning for incapacity is just as important as planning for asset distribution. Powers of attorney allow you to name trusted individuals to manage financial decisions and healthcare choices if you cannot act for yourself. Without these documents, your family may face unnecessary legal hurdles. We help clients select the right agents, outline their responsibilities, and prepare documents that reflect their preferences for medical care and financial management.
Step #6 Review Beneficiary Designations
Certain assets, such as retirement accounts, bank accounts with payable-on-death designations, and life insurance policies, transfer directly to named beneficiaries. These designations override the instructions in your will, making accuracy essential. Our Lisle estate planning lawyer reviews all accounts to confirm they align with your estate plan and reflect your current wishes. Updating beneficiaries is a critical step that prevents future conflicts and keeps your plan consistent from every angle.
Step #7 Finalize, Organize, and Maintain Your Plan
Once the documents are complete, the final step is signing, storing, and keeping everything up to date. We advise clients on how to organize their estate planning materials, communicate decisions to loved ones, and revisit their plan after major life events. A strong estate plan is a living structure, one that adapts as your life evolves. With ongoing updates and thoughtful review, your plan continues to protect your interests long into the future.
Build A Stronger Future With Professional Support
At Madden Law LLC, we put the law to work for you. When you partner with our trusted Lisle estate planning lawyer, you gain guidance rooted in years of experience and a commitment to creating plans that genuinely support your goals. Schedule a strategy call with our estate planning professionals today and take the next step toward protecting what matters most.