Estate Planning
in Highland Park, IL.
Make sure the people you love get what you've built.
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy, it's for anyone who wants to make sure their family is taken care of. Without a plan, Illinois probate courts decide who gets your assets, who takes care of your children, and how your life's work is distributed.
At our firm, we work with families across Chicago's Northern Suburbs to create estate plans that protect your legacy, minimize taxes, avoid probate, and ensure your wishes are honored.
What this looks like in Highland Park.
Highland Park's real estate values and established wealth create regular estate planning needs around the Illinois $4 million exemption. We work with Highland Park clients on bypass trust structures, annual gifting programs to family members who may remain in the North Shore community, and charitable strategies that reflect the philanthropic culture of a community deeply invested in arts, education, and local civic life.
The county details.
Lake County's concentration of high-net-worth families, particularly in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Barrington, and Bannockburn, makes Illinois estate tax planning a first-order priority. Illinois's $4 million exemption isn't portable between spouses without specific trust planning: without an AB trust or disclaimer trust, the first spouse's exemption may be wasted and the surviving spouse's estate pays Illinois estate tax on everything above $4 million. For Lake County families with a primary residence worth $1.5 million or more plus investment assets and retirement accounts, the potential Illinois estate tax exposure is real and plannable, but only with proper structure in place before the first death.
Why Highland Park.
As a Lake County community, Highland Park residents benefit from slightly lower property taxes than Cook County neighbors. The community's strong cultural offerings and natural beauty make it an attractive place to retire.
Things Highland Park families ask.
Down the shore.
Talk to a Highland Park
advisor.
One free conversation about estate planning, at your kitchen table, our Evanston office, or a video call.