Chicago Estate Planning Attorney
Trust & wills estate attorney in Chicago, IL | Estate lawyer Chicago | Chicago trust lawyer
Estate Planning Attorney Chicago, IL
Carrier Law Group is committed to helping your family protect the wealth you’ve worked hard to build. With a deep understanding of wills, trusts, probate, and elder law, we provide personalized guidance to ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for—both now and in the future. Whether you're planning for the first time or updating an existing plan, our experienced attorneys are here to offer clarity, compassion, and confidence every step of the way.
Estate Planning Services | Chicago Estate Planning
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Estate Planning Package
Carrier Law Group can create a customized estate plan for your family, bundled together as a comprehensive plan that includes everything you need to help protect your loved ones.
Packages range from basic to complex depending on your personal situation and goals.
A basic estate planning package will typically include a revocable living trust, wills, power of attorney and medical directive documents.
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Trusts & Wills
Our firm is able to provide you and your family with advanced trust documents including irrevocable trusts and a variety of other estate planning strategies
We can also provide you with a simple will, power of attorney and medical directive documents at an affordable price.
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Asset Protection Trusts
The cost of long term healthcare has been rising at a rapid pace. All too often, families that diligently saved for retirement can see their net worth decrease substantially if a long term health event occurs.
Carrier Law Group can help you determine if you would benefit from an asset protection trust that will guard your hard earned resources, maximizing what is passed down to your heirs.
Patrick Carrier | Chicago Estate Planning Attorney
Patrick Carrier is the owner and lead estate planning attorney at Carrier Law Group. As a Chicago estate planning attorney, Patrick has over 15 years of experience helping families guard their legacy and create estate plans that can last for generations. Patrick earned his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School and his B.A. from Loyola University in Chicago, IL.
Chicago Estate Planning Attorney
150 N. Riverside Plaza
Suite 3615
Chicago, IL 60606
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:30am-5:00pm
Phone
(312) 449-2960
Estate Planning Attorney Chicago, IL
Our goal at the Carrier Law Group is to help your family avoid probate. However, without proper planning many people can wind up going through the probate process unintentionally. Our Chicago estate lawyer team can represent you through the probate process and assist your family during a time of grieving.
Estate Planning Chicago, IL | Trust Attorney in Chicago
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to secure your legacy and ensure your loved ones are protected. At the Carrier Law Group, we understand that planning for the future can feel overwhelming, but our goal is to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible. Estate planning goes far beyond drafting a will—it’s about creating a comprehensive legal strategy tailored to your unique goals, assets, and family dynamics. Whether you’re looking to minimize estate taxes, avoid probate, protect your assets, or ensure the proper care of minor children or elderly relatives, we offer personalized solutions including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and more.
Our experienced estate planning attorneys in Chicago, IL work closely with you to understand your values and concerns, then craft a plan that reflects your wishes and stands up to the unexpected. We also assist with updating existing plans as circumstances change, ensuring your estate plan evolves with you. At Carrier Law Group, our Chicago trust attorneys are committed to providing thoughtful legal guidance with compassion and integrity—because planning for tomorrow starts with the right support today.
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s a vital step for anyone who wants to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes, reduce stress for their loved ones, and maintain control over critical personal and financial decisions. At Carrier Law Group, we believe that everyone deserves access to a well-structured estate plan, no matter the size or complexity of their estate. We take the time to listen to your concerns, explain your options in plain language, and develop a comprehensive plan that reflects your values and long-term objectives. From establishing guardianship for minor children to planning for incapacity, managing business succession, or creating charitable giving strategies, our Chicago estate planning firm provides a full spectrum of estate planning services designed to give you peace of mind.
We also help clients navigate sensitive family dynamics and plan for blended families, special needs dependents, and complex asset structures. Our Chicago estate planning attorney team remains up to date on evolving state and federal laws, ensuring your plan complies with the latest legal standards. At every step, we are here not just as your legal advisors, but as your partners in preparing for the future—offering practical advice, personalized service, and ongoing support. Whether you're starting from scratch or revisiting an outdated plan, Carrier Law Group is here to help you protect what matters most.
Wills
A will (or last will and testament) is a legal document that outlines how your property and assets should be distributed after your death. It also allows you to name a guardian for your minor children and designate an executor to manage your estate.
Trusts
A trust is a legal arrangement where one party (the grantor) transfers assets to a trustee, who manages them on behalf of one or more beneficiaries. Trusts can take effect during your lifetime (living trusts) or after your death (testamentary trusts).
Medical Directives
Medical directives, also known as advance directives, are legal documents that outline your preferences for medical care and appoint someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
Irrevocable Trusts
An irrevocable trust is a legal structure that permanently transfers ownership of certain assets from the grantor (you) to a trustee, who manages those assets for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries.
Unlike a revocable trust, once an irrevocable trust is created and funded, it cannot be easily altered, amended, or revoked—which is precisely what gives it its legal strength in protecting assets and reducing estate taxes.
Asset Protection Trusts
An Asset Protection Trust (APT) is a type of irrevocable trust that separates legal ownership of your assets from your personal estate. By transferring assets into a properly structured trust, they are legally protected from:
Creditors and judgments
Bankruptcy
Divorce settlements
Lawsuits or liability claims
Long-term care or Medicaid recovery
Unlike standard revocable trusts, asset protection trusts are designed to prevent others from accessing your assets—while still allowing you to benefit from them under certain conditions.
Business Estate Planning
Business estate planning is the process of coordinating your personal estate plan with your business interests. It ensures that your business can continue operating—or be sold, transferred, or wound down—in a way that honors your wishes, minimizes legal conflicts, and reduces financial risk to your family and partners.
Whether you operate a family-owned company, an LLC, a professional practice, or a closely held corporation, proper business estate planning is essential.
You’ve worked hard for what you have. Now let’s make sure your assets, your family, and your wishes are protected—no matter what happens. As a dedicated estate planning attorney in Chicago, our firm helps clients craft clear, robust plans tailored to their unique situation.
We guide clients through wills, trusts, power of attorney, healthcare directives, probate, and more—always with clarity, compassion, and local expertise.
Wills and Trusts
Create a clear plan for how your assets should be managed and distributed. We draft and customize:
Last Will and Testament
Revocable Living Trusts
Irrevocable Trusts
Special Needs Trusts
Charitable Trusts
Our Chicago estate planning attorney ensures your documents meet Illinois legal standards and reflect your unique goals.
Powers of Attorney
Designate trusted individuals to act on your behalf if you become unable to make decisions yourself:
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Living Will / Advance Directive
These documents are essential for avoiding guardianship proceedings and ensuring your wishes are respected.
Estate Tax Planning
Minimize estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes through strategic planning. We help high-net-worth individuals and business owners implement:
Tax-efficient gifting strategies
Family limited partnerships (FLPs)
Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs)
Life insurance trusts (ILITs)
Business Succession Planning
Ensure a smooth transition for your business. We work with owners across Chicago to:
Create succession plans
Coordinate business agreements with estate plans
Protect key assets and minimize disputes
Probate Avoidance Strategies
Avoid the time, cost, and publicity of probate court by:
Titling assets properly
Using payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designations
Structuring living trusts
We explain all your options to simplify asset transfers and reduce burdens on your loved ones.
Asset Protection Planning
Shield your wealth from creditors, lawsuits, and unforeseen liabilities. Our firm develops legal strategies that comply with Illinois and federal laws to help preserve your hard-earned assets.
Updates & Reviews
Life changes—your estate plan should, too. We offer plan reviews and updates after major life events such as:
Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption
Significant financial changes
Moving to or from Illinois
Why Work With Our Chicago Estate Planning Attorney?
✔ Deep knowledge of Illinois estate planning laws
✔ Customized solutions—not one-size-fits-all templates
✔ Transparent pricing and upfront consultations
✔ Trusted by clients across Chicago and Cook County
✔ Compassionate, clear, and client-focused approach
Your future shouldn't be left to chance. Work with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney in Chicago who puts your interests first.
Estate Planning Attorney Chicago | Protect Your Legacy & Loved Ones
Avoiding Probate | Chicago Estate Planning Attorney
Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s assets. While necessary in many cases, probate can be time-consuming, expensive, and public, often causing delays and stress for your loved ones.
At Carrier Law Group, our experienced estate planning attorneys in Chicago helps clients create effective strategies to avoid probate whenever possible—saving time, reducing costs, and maintaining privacy.
Creating a Plan | Chicago Estate Planning Attorney
Estate planning is more than just writing a will—it’s a comprehensive process that ensures your assets, health care decisions, and family’s future are protected. As a dedicated estate planning attorney in Chicago, I guide clients through every essential element to create a plan that reflects their unique goals.
Why Work with a Chicago Estate Planning Attorney?
✔ Personalized planning tailored to Illinois laws
✔ Clear guidance through complex legal processes
✔ Protection for your family, assets, and legacy
✔ Peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored
Trusts & Wills | Estate Planning Attorney Chicago, IL
Creating a will and a trust is a crucial part of securing your family’s future and protecting your assets. At Carrier Law Firm, our experienced estate planning attorneys in Chicago help you navigate the legal steps with confidence and clarity.
Creating wills and trusts without professional help risks errors that can lead to costly probate, disputes, or unintended tax consequences. Our Chicago estate planning attorneys provide:
Clear explanations tailored to Illinois law
Personalized estate plans that reflect your unique situation
Assistance with complex family or business issues
Peace of mind knowing your legacy is protected