Real estate lawyer for Chicago and all suburbs


	Representing Sellers and Buyers of Homes and Other Real Estate Wills, Trusts, Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Other Estate Planning Law Offices of James B. Spina, Ltd. Experience Counts Serving the Chicago Metropolitan Area since 1979
	INFORMATION HOMES / REAL ESTATE Notes for Home Sellers Showing Your Home Foreclosure, Payment Trouble Notes for Home Buyers Do I Really Need a Lawyer? Attorneys’ Approval Clause WILLS AND TRUSTS Do I Need a Will? Thoughts on a Simple Will Health Care Power of Attorney Estate Planning at Your Home Special Trust for Pet Owners Special Trust for Gun Owners GENERAL Site Map Contact About the Attorney Home	WHY DO I NEED A WILL? A will ensures that your wishes are carried out after your death. Even if you don’t think you have much to leave, a will still serves several important functions. HOW ABOUT STATE LAW? State law determines what happens to the assets of someone who dies without a will. It is not likely that the law sees things the way you do. For example, under Illinois law, the property of a married person with children, absent a valid will, does not necessarily all go to the surviving spouse. Different circumstances can lead to results that you might see as ridiculous. Why take that chance? MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS. A will directs that your assets be given to the people who you think should get them. Your judgment is based on your own specific circumstances. Your wishes are stated in writing, so there is no mistake or argument about what you wanted. SELECT YOUR OWN EXECUTOR. Your executor makes certain that your wishes are carried out. You choose the person you want as your executor by naming him or her in your will. In case that person cannot do the job for some reason, you can name as alternative executors other people on whom you can rely. WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? A universal worry among people with children is, "Who will care for my children if something happens to both myself and my spouse?" With a will, you can make this decision. You can nominate the person you trust to work for the best interests of your children; the person you can rely on to conserve the assets you leave for your children’s benefit. Just as with the executor, you can name other reliable people for this job in case your first choice cannot serve. PROBATE IS TOO EXPENSIVE. People often worry about the costs of probate. In Illinois, probating a small estate can often cost less than the available alternatives. In any case, a will should include provisions to reduce taxes and other costs of dealing with your affairs after you are gone. YOUR WAY. A will takes the guesswork out of dealing with your assets and your dependents. There is no need to argue about what you wanted, because you have already made it clear. Your survivors can have the satisfaction of knowing for certain your last wishes. MAKE IT EASIER. The passing of a loved one is always tragic. A will makes it easier on those who survive. 708-647-1900 jbs@SpinaLaw.com
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