Probate and Trust Administration involves handling matters when a person becomes disabled or dies. The time of a person’s disability or death can be very confusing and difficult. A variety of legal, financial and personal matters must be addressed.

Disability:

• If proper documents are not in place, then Illinois law requires that the matters go to the Probate Court and the judge will decide who will take care of personal and financial affairs. The judge further appoints the Guardian of the Person and the Estate. This process can be very frustrating and confusing for all the participating members. Attorney Margaret Szymansky advises her clients of the legal issues, considerations and possible options available in guardianship proceedings.

Death:

• When someone dies, a wide variety of legal, financial, income tax and administrative matters arise and must be addressed. Attorney Margaret Szymansky analyzes the decedent’s estate to determine whether or not a probate estate should be opened. Many times the opening of the probate estate may not be necessary if valid documents are in place. She assists her clients, trustees, executors, administrators to carry out their duties which include marshaling assets, preparing inventory, final accounting, and distributing the assets to heirs in accordance with the controlling document, whether that document is a Will or a Trust. Her focus is to minimize the expense, time, reduce the anxiety, and make the process as efficient as possible.