No one plans to end up in probate court. But families do, every day, usually because no one got around to the paperwork.
We see it every day. A parent passes away and nobody knows where the paperwork is. Adult children suddenly disagree over a home or bank account. A family discovers that “having a will” did not actually avoid probate. A property sale gets delayed because a deceased relative was still on title.
One of the most difficult situations we see is when families wait too long to plan. A parent begins showing signs of dementia, confusion, or cognitive decline, and suddenly the family realizes no powers of attorney or trust documents are in place. At that point, the person may no longer have the legal capacity to sign important documents, forcing loved ones into stressful and expensive guardianship proceedings through the court system.
Many people assume estate planning is only for the wealthy. In reality, anyone who owns a home, has children, or wants to make life easier for loved ones should have a proper plan in place.
One of the biggest misconceptions is believing that a simple will solves everything. In many cases, it does not avoid probate court. Proper trust planning, updated powers of attorney, and correctly titled assets can make an enormous difference for your family later.
At the Law Offices of Garrido & Stoppa, P.C., we help families throughout Chicago and the surrounding communities prepare before problems arise. Whether it involves trusts, probate, real estate matters, or protecting aging parents, proactive planning today can save your loved ones significant stress tomorrow.
The best time to plan was years ago. The second best time is now.
Call us at 773-594-2870 or visit us at 5310 N. Harlem, Suite 210, Chicago.
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