Dedicated Estate Planning Attorney – Chicago

Legal Guidance for the LGBTQ+ Community

At Metz & Jones, we understand that estate planning is a deeply personal process that demands a nuanced approach, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. Our experienced estate planning lawyers in Chicago are dedicated to providing tailored advice and strategies that reflect the unique needs and challenges faced by our clients.

Most people come to a point in their lives when they start asking themselves a couple of very important questions.

• Will my assets go where I want them to go after I pass on?
• Will I receive proper care as I go through the aging process?

By planning ahead for the management of your healthcare and property in the event of disability or death, you can save your loved ones a lot of money and avoid unnecessary frustration.

Why Choose Metz + Jones for Your Chicago Estate Planning Needs?

Experience in LGBTQ+ Estate Planning

At Metz & Jones, we recognize that estate planning presents unique legal and emotional challenges. This can be especially true for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Our seasoned attorneys are adept at navigating these complexities. Therefore, ensuring your estate plan not only respects your wishes but also provides for your loved ones in a comprehensive loved one

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services

We offer an extensive range of services to safeguard your legacy and protect your assets. Our capabilities include:

• Wills and Trusts: Ensure your assets are distributed as you desire and your heirs are cared for in your absence. Trusts can also be utilized for the care of minors or disabled persons, to minimize taxes, or to protect against creditors.
• Powers of Attorney: Designate a trusted individual to manage your financial affairs and make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated.
• Advanced Healthcare Directives: Clearly articulate your medical care preferences to ensure they are honored if you are unable to communicate.
• Guardianship Nominations: Appoint a guardian to look after your minor children or dependent adults.
• Probate and Estate Administration: Skillfully manage the legal process after the death of a loved one, ensuring your assets are transferred correctly to your beneficiaries.

Personalized and Compassionate Approach

Understanding that effective estate planning is deeply personal, our attorneys dedicate time to truly understanding your individual circumstances and objectives. We are committed to crafting plans that align with your values while providing peace of mind.

Beyond Basic Estate Planning

Our services extend beyond basic estate planning to include:

• Probate Avoidance Strategies: Utilize techniques like insurance, gifts, and joint ownership of property to transfer assets efficiently at death.
• Long-Range Planning: Tailor plans that address your unique needs, simple or complex, with strategies that are effective during your lifetime and beyond, enabling your property to pass to your intended beneficiaries in the most tax-efficient way possible.
• Durable Powers of Attorney: Document creation services for making important decisions during serious illness. A durable power of attorney for health care allows visitation, healthcare decisions, and burial arrangements. A durable power of attorney for property grants access to finances, bill payment, check writing, and real estate selling..
• Domestic Partnership Agreements: Provides document creation services for making important decisions during serious illness. A durable power of attorney for health care allows visitation, healthcare decisions, and burial arrangements. A durable power of attorney for property grants access to finances, bill payment, check writing, and real estate selling..
• Taxes: Domestic partnerships do not have the same tax status as married or civil union couples. In Illinois, civil union couples file state taxes jointly and federal taxes individually. Married couples file both jointly, but can file as “married, but separated” if advised. Our tax professionals can assist with proper estate planning.

Advance Preparation: A Necessity

Without a plan, state laws will dictate the distribution of your property and the guardianship of your children or yourself if incapacitated. We emphasize the importance of advance preparation to ensure that your estate is handled according to your specific desires.

Updating Your Estate Plan

It’s important to regularly check your estate planning documents. Even if they were done correctly years ago, they may not match your current goals. It’s crucial to review your plan in case of any life changes or legal updates. Events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or changes in the law may require you to update your plan. Make sure your estate plan reflects your current situation and wishes.

• Your asset mix or net worth has changed
• Tax or other changes in the law
• You want to change fiduciaries (trustee, executor, guardian, agent)
• Health changes for you or your beneficiaries
• The circumstances of your beneficiaries have changed (beneficiary has become disabled, entered into a civil union or marriage, has become separated or divorced, has creditor problems, substance abuse, etc.)
• A birth, adoption or death in your family or among your beneficiaries
• You get enter into a marriage or civil union
• You get separated or divorced
• You have a partnership agreement but are no longer with your partner
• You have recently moved from one state or country to another
• Your minor children or grandchildren have become adults

Proudly Serving the LGBTQ Community

We pride ourselves on providing effective lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and gay estate planning in Chicago for both individuals and couples. The people we serve know that we are true professionals who have their best interests in mind at all times. We care deeply about our clients, and we work diligently to protect their rights and interests. We are highly adept at complex financial matters that can significantly impact our clients’ futures.

Contact Our Chicago Estate Planning Lawyers Today

If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community and seeking guidance on careful estate planning in Chicago, look no further than Metz & Jones. Our skilled estate planning attorneys are here to help you prepare for the future, ensuring your assets are protected and your wishes are honored.

To learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation, please contact us online or call us at 773-878-4480. Let us help you secure your legacy with compassionate and competent legal expertise.

We proudly serve the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community and Friends throughout Illinois, including Edgewater, Andersonville, Uptown, Lakeview and throughout the Greater Chicago area in Cook County.

Serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community and Friends in Chicago and Illinois.