Business Details
46 Years
experience
Trusted Estate Planning & Probate Services in Illinois
As a certified public accountant and Illinois estate planning lawyer with over 30 years of experience, I combine legal and tax expertise to create comprehensive estate plans that protect assets and minimize tax burdens. My practice focuses on personalized solutions for wills, trusts, probate administration, and end-of-life planning, ensuring clients' intentions are executed faithfully. I work closely with families to address unique needs, from charitable giving to guardianship, while maintaining transparency about costs and processes.My dual qualifications as a CPA and attorney allow me to offer strategic advice on retirement planning, business succession, and wealth preservation. I serve clients across Cook County and Lake County, providing accessible consultations in Glenview, Chicago, Oakbrook, and Deerfield.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills
Living Trusts
Probate Administration
Power of Attorney
Healthcare Directives
Charitable Trusts
Guardianship
Tax Planning
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of combined legal and tax planning expertise
- Our team provides fixed-fee project options for cost clarity
- We serve Cook County, Lake County, and surrounding areas
- Our practice integrates CPA and attorney qualifications for holistic solutions
- We offer home visits and flexible consultation locations
Associations and certifications
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
What people say
Detailed and comprehensive approach
Recovered 501(c)(3) status
Quick and effortless service
Well-informed throughout process
Extremely reasonable services
Services
Estate Planning
Comprehensive estate planning services help clients protect assets and minimize tax burdens through customized strategies. We create legally sound documents including wills, trusts, and healthcare directives to ensure your wishes are executed properly. Our dual expertise as both CPAs and attorneys allows us to optimize tax efficiency while addressing family needs and charitable goals.
Living Trusts
Living trust creation services help clients avoid probate and maintain privacy for estate distribution. We design revocable and irrevocable trusts tailored to individual circumstances, including disability planning and tax optimization. Our approach ensures seamless asset transfer while protecting beneficiaries' interests through carefully structured trust provisions.
Probate Administration
Professional probate administration guides executors through Illinois court processes for estate settlement. We assist with asset inventory, debt resolution, tax filings, and distribution according to wills or state law. Our experience streamlines complex probate matters while minimizing conflicts among beneficiaries and ensuring legal compliance.
Power of Attorney
Customized power of attorney documents establish legal authority for financial and healthcare decisions. We create durable POAs that remain effective during incapacity, with tailored provisions matching clients' specific needs. Our guidance ensures proper execution and implementation of these critical estate planning tools.
Wills
Legally binding will drafting services ensure proper asset distribution and guardianship arrangements. We create clear, enforceable documents that address executor selection, beneficiary designations, and special provisions. Our expertise prevents common pitfalls that lead to contested estates while maintaining compliance with Illinois probate laws.
People
James C. Provenza
Attorney & CPA
With over 30 years of experience, James C. Provenza combines legal and accounting expertise to create comprehensive estate plans. He holds both CPA certification (1977) and Illinois law license (1980), focusing on tax-efficient solutions for individuals and nonprofits.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We serve clients throughout Cook County and Lake County, with office locations in Glenview, Chicago, Oakbrook, and Deerfield.
What are your office hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with after-hours appointments available.
How are your fees structured?
We offer transparent pricing with fixed-fee options for many projects, providing cost estimates before work begins.
What estate planning documents do I need?
Essential documents typically include wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives tailored to your specific circumstances.
Can you help with nonprofit organizations?
Yes, we assist nonprofits with tax exemption applications, governance matters, and planned giving strategies based on our extensive experience.
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