Business Details
Estate Planning Lawyers in Illinois | Law Offices Of Melanie Tavare
At Law Offices Of Melanie Tavare, we bring over 38 years of dedicated legal experience to the field of estate planning. Our practice is built on the principles of personalized service, clear communication, and unwavering integrity. As both an attorney and a Registered Certified Public Accountant, Robert Schaller combines legal and financial expertise to craft tailored solutions for clients seeking to protect their families and legacies. We prioritize meticulous attention to detail, ensuring all documents meet the highest legal standards while remaining accessible and understandable to clients. Our commitment to affordability and transparent pricing has made complex estate planning services accessible to thousands of families across Illinois.Through one-on-one consultations and flexible meeting options, we empower clients to make informed decisions about their future. Recognized for our authoritative approach and client-centered philosophy, we have helped over 3,000 Americans secure their legacies through comprehensive estate plans. Our practice reflects decades of experience navigating complex family dynamics, tax considerations, and legal requirements with professionalism and compassion.
Services
Last Will and Testament
Powers of Attorney
Living Trust
Special-Needs Trust
Blended Family Trust
Probate Services
Guardianship Designations
Health Care Proxy
Estate Tax Planning
Asset Protection
Highlights and features
- Expertise and Experience: 38+ years of combined legal and financial expertise in estate planning
- Personalized Approach: Tailored solutions for complex family dynamics and financial situations
- Clear Communication: Plain-language explanations of complex legal concepts
- Trustworthiness and Integrity: Maintaining the highest standards of professional confidentiality
- Affordable Pricing: Transparent fee structures substantially below traditional law firm rates
Associations and certifications
- Registered Certified Public Accountant (CPA, Illinois)
What people say
Ability to explain the law
Caring and compassionate
Took my worries away
Knowledgeable and friendly
Immediate availability
Services
Last Will and Testament
A legally binding document outlining asset distribution, executor appointment, and guardianship for minor children. Ensures your final wishes are honored while minimizing family disputes. Our attorneys help create customized wills that comply with Illinois probate laws and protect your legacy.
Living Trust
Flexible estate planning tool that avoids probate, maintains privacy, and ensures seamless asset transfer. Allows ongoing control during your lifetime with provisions for incapacity planning. Ideal for complex estates and families with special needs beneficiaries.
Special-Needs Trust
Designed to protect government benefit eligibility while providing financial support for individuals with disabilities. Structured to cover medical expenses, therapies, and quality-of-life improvements without jeopardizing Medicaid or SSI benefits.
Blended Family Trust
Specialized estate plan addressing remarried families' unique needs. Protects children from prior marriages while providing for current spouses. Minimizes estate taxes and prevents unintended disinheritance through structured asset distribution.
Power of Attorney
Designates trusted representatives for financial and healthcare decisions during incapacity. Includes medical directives and financial authority frameworks. Ensures your wishes are followed when you cannot communicate them personally.
People
Robert Schaller
Attorney & CPA
With 38+ years of legal experience and CPA credentials, Robert Schaller has helped over 3,000 clients with estate planning. Author of 24 legal publications, he specializes in creating customized estate solutions while maintaining accessibility through affordable pricing models.
Questions
What is included in a comprehensive estate plan?
Our estate plans typically include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and guardianship designations tailored to your specific needs.
How does a living trust avoid probate?
By transferring asset ownership to the trust during your lifetime, assets bypass probate court and transfer directly to beneficiaries according to your specified terms.
Can I update my estate plan after remarriage?
Yes, we recommend updating plans after major life events like remarriage to ensure proper asset distribution and protection for all family members.
What happens if I die without a will in Illinois?
State intestacy laws will determine asset distribution, potentially resulting in unintended beneficiaries and family conflicts without your documented wishes.
How do special needs trusts protect government benefits?
These trusts hold assets separately from the beneficiary's name, maintaining eligibility for Medicaid and SSI while providing supplemental financial support.
What are the costs for estate planning services?
We offer transparent pricing with options including flat fees and limited-scope representations, typically costing less than traditional law firms.
