Wills & Trusts | Chicago Estate Planning Attorney
Trust & wills estate attorney in Chicago, IL | Estate lawyer Chicago | Chicago trust lawyer
Estate Attorney in Chicago, IL
Carrier Law Group is an estate planning attorney firm located in Chicago, IL. Chicago estate attorney, Patrick Carrier has nearly two decades of experience created customized estate plans for clients including wills, trusts, power of attorney and medical directive documents.
Will vs. Trust?
Wills and trusts both have a place in your estate plan. Wills are generally more simple and trusts are generally more complex, although trusts can be simple to establish when working with an experienced estate planning firm like Carrier Law Group.
Wills:
A will (also known as a last will and testament) is a legal document that outlines how a person wants their assets, property, and responsibilities to be handled after their death.
Key things a will typically includes:
Who inherits your property (called beneficiaries)
Executor: the person you name to carry out your wishes
Guardians for minor children (if applicable)
Instructions for paying debts and taxes
Funeral or burial wishes (optional)
Revocable Living Trusts:
A revocable trust (also called a living trust) is a legal arrangement where a person (called the grantor or trustor) puts assets into a trust, and retains the right to change or cancel it during their lifetime.
Revocable: You can change, amend, or cancel the trust at any time while you're alive and mentally competent.
Living: It takes effect during your lifetime, unlike a will, which only takes effect after death.
You usually act as your own trustee at first, managing the assets as usual.
You name a successor trustee to take over when you die or become incapacitated.
On death, the assets in the trust pass directly to your named beneficiaries, avoiding probate (the court-supervised process of distributing a will).
Types of Trusts
There are various types of trusts that our Chicago estate attorney firm can help you create. Based on your wishes, goals, and financial situation, you may consider more complex or less complex trust structures that can protect your assets. If you are an Illinois resident, you may benefit from additional trust structures that can significantly reduce estate taxation within the state of Illinois.
Revocable Living Trusts
Our Chicago estate attorney firm can draft a comprehensive revocable living trust for you and your family that will allow you to maintain control over your assets while passing them down to the beneficiaries you specify. Revocable living trusts can be altered or revoked by the person who created it (the grantor) during their lifetime. These are commonly used to avoid the probate process.
Irrevocable Trusts
As a Chicago estate planning attorney, Patrick Carrier and the Carrier Law Group can create irrevocable trusts for you and your family that can help protect assets or assist with estate tax planning purposes. Irrevocable trusts cannot be changed or revoked once created (except in rare cases). Irrevocable trusts are typically used for asset protection, potential tax benefits, and charitable giving.
Charitable Trusts
A charitable trust is a legal arrangement in which a person (the grantor) sets aside assets to benefit a charitable organization or purpose. These trusts are often used for philanthropy, tax benefits, and estate planning purposes. There are two main types of charitable trusts: charitable remainder trusts (CRT), and charitable lead trusts (CLT).
Special Needs Trusts
Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) are a vital tool for families or individuals looking to support someone with a disability without disqualifying them from government benefits like SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and Medicaid. A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for a person with disabilities (the beneficiary) without those assets being counted against their eligibility for means-tested public benefits. People on SSI or Medicaid can only have limited income and assets. If you give money or property directly to someone with disabilities, it may disqualify them from these benefits. An SNT avoids this by holding the assets in a trust controlled by a trustee, not the beneficiary.
Asset Protection Trust
An Asset Protection Trust is a legal trust designed specifically to protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, divorce, judgments, and Medicaid claims. It is one of the most powerful tools in advanced estate and financial planning — but also one of the most complex.
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
Trust & wills estate attorney in Chicago, IL | Estate lawyer Chicago | Chicago trust lawyer
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
Chicago Estate Planning Attorney
150 N. Riverside Plaza
Suite 3615
Chicago, IL 60606
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:30am-5:00pm
Phone
(312) 449-2960