About Us

With over 20 years of experience, the Chicago probate lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are committed to giving their clients quality legal advice as they make decisions relating to their legacies, their estates, and their health care. With commitment and compassion we represent executors, administrators, beneficiaries, heirs, trustees, and others in matters related to estates, including issues related to comprehensive estate planning, asset protection, probate, estate administration, fiduciary duties, estate litigation, and estate accountings. Understanding that part of comprehensive estate planning involves more than will drafting and trust making, we also help clients plan for the special financial and personal challenges that accompany aging. In all such matters Mr. Bilkis and the team at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates proudly deliver top quality service to their clients through commitment, tenacity, and effective problem-solving.

When disputes related to probate or estate administration develop, time is of the essence. We will work quickly to resolve them through negotiation. While we are often able to resolve estate disputes without litigation, in some cases litigation becomes necessary. At the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates we will always give you an honest assessment of your case. We will help avoid costly, extended litigation and instead work to resolve your dispute as quickly as possible, while ensuring that your interests are protected.

Our estate litigation practice extends to representing clients in disputes related will contests based on undue influence, lack of capacity, or fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, improper distribution of assets, allegations of hidden asset, real estate partition actions, theft from estates, disagreements among beneficiaries and heirs, kinship proceedings, guardianship disputes, trust reformation, contested estate accountings, creditor claims against the estate, and other types of estate disputes.

As part of our estate practice we represent executors and estate administrators as they go about the tasks of settling estates. Typically, when someone is appointed executor or administrator of an estate by the probate court, he or she has little or no experience. As a result the person may be unfamiliar with the complex rules related to the administration of estates. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates will help you handle the requirements of the role in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the Illinois’ probate statute. This includes helping with a variety of required tasks such as preparing and filing all the necessary documents to initiate the probate proceeding, preparing and filing an inventory of estate assets, addressing claims and paying estate debt, satisfying federal and state tax obligations, and ultimately, distributing estate assets according to the terms of the will or the intestate succession statute.

At the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, we do more than draft wills. With over 20 years of experience, we focus on all aspects of estate planning. In addition to writing wills, we work closely with our clients to create comprehensive plans to preserve the legacy of the client, protect assets, and transfer of wealth, that may not only include a last will and testament, but may also include trusts and other documents.

There are many different types of trusts designed for different purposes. When creating a trust, it is critical to understand trust law so that your trust will function in the way you need it to. For example, special needs trusts are designed to protect the assets of individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities. If not created according to the legal requirements, the beneficiary may lose eligibility for benefits. We have the experience and skill to ensure that your trust meets both your needs and also the legal requirements.

Elder law is an aspect of estate law that focuses primarily on the needs of families and individuals as they age. One of the biggest concerns for seniors is long-term care and senior housing. We help clients plan for how they will pay for their future healthcare needs and housing arrangements while preserving their wealth. We also help with durable powers of attorney, health care documents, and related documents.

The Chicago probate attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates provide personal service to their clients. We get to know our clients and the issues that matter most to them. We serve clients throughout Chicago. Call us at 855-454-5529 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.