Naperville Probate Lawyers
Last updated on March 12, 2025
Being named the administrator or executor of another person’s estate is a measure of the trust and confidence that person has placed in you. This is a time when the advice of an experienced probate lawyer is essential. At Blacha Law Office, LLC, we serve clients in all aspects of estate administration and probate.
Our attorneys can provide you with the legal guidance you need during the probate and administration processes after a loved one has passed. They work with clients throughout Greater Naperville, including residents of DuPage County. Our team’s goal is to make the process transparent to you so that you can focus on your life and your family.
What Is Probate, And Why Is It Necessary?
Probate is the legal process of administering an estate after a person’s death. The exact probate process differs depending on factors such as whether the person in question had a valid will at the time of their death. In the probate process, if there is no will in place, then the court will assign an executor to distribute the estate according to state law. If there is a will, then the court will distribute assets according to the deceased’s wishes.
How Does The Probate Process Work In Naperville?
Our lawyers are prepared to resolve whatever issues arise throughout the probate process so that you can focus on what matters most. They will guide you through the steps, including:
- Opening a probate administration without a will
- Submitting the will to the probate court for approval
- Sending notices to any interested parties, such as beneficiaries, close relatives and creditors
- Publishing required legal notices
- Paying bills that need to be paid (and protecting the estate from false claims)
- Conducting an inventory of the estate’s financial assets and real property
- Distributing the estate’s assets according to the terms of the will
- Closing the estate (ending the probate process)
Whether your situation involves a modest estate with a will or a minefield of family disputes, our knowledgeable attorneys can efficiently navigate the process, protect your interests and make sure your loved one’s wishes are respected.
Contesting A Will In Illinois
When a family member dies, family disputes that have been simmering for years can suddenly boil over. This can lead to will contests, trust contests and other types of probate disputes, including disputes as to how the assets will be administered.
The following are examples of just some of the types of issues we handle:
- Improper transfers of assets in a will
- Mismanagement of assets in a trust or estate
- Breach of fiduciary/administrator duty
- Removal of an administrator or trustee
- Undue influence on the decedent by fraud, deception or coercion
- Last-minute changes to a will
- Disinheriting of heirs
While we are prepared to go to court to protect your interests, we will do whatever is possible to resolve the will dispute through negotiation or mediation. Litigating disputes in court can carry a high emotional and financial cost. It can also lead to lengthy delays in the probate process.
Prepared To Answer All Your Questions
Probate can often be difficult to understand. Our team will work with you to ensure that you understand the process and that your case proceeds through this process effectively. To begin, our lawyers have answered a few of our clients’ most frequently asked questions below.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
If the person dies without a will or the probate court judges their will invalid, the probate court handles the estate’s assets according to intestate laws.
How long does the probate process take in DuPage County?
Typically, the probate process can take anywhere from six months to a year or longer if there are disputes or required litigation.
How can I avoid probate for my estate in Naperville?
There are multiple estate planning measures you can take to help avoid or lessen the time that probate will take. For example, you can set up revocable living trusts, establish joint ownership of property and name beneficiaries.
What if a beneficiary or another party disagrees on some part of the will?
Disputes are another wrinkle that can arise throughout the process, from creditors pursuing legal claims to recover assets to family members challenging the terms of a will. If the parties cannot negotiate a resolution, then litigation is not uncommon.
Our lawyers have the seasoned legal judgment you will need to understand all your legal options and cut through any misinformation you may have heard about probate law.
The Hands-On, Individualized Attention You Deserve
For nearly two decades, our attorneys have guided administrators, family members heirs and others throughout the probate process. They have helped administrators work through the probate process efficiently and effectively. Our team also represents beneficiaries to protect their interests. From managing simple cases involving valid wills to winding down complex estates, our knowledgeable attorneys will take care of the legal issues so that you can focus on grieving and moving on with your life.
Our attorneys at Blacha Law Office, LLC, take a personalized approach to resolving the needs of our clients. They will work with you one-on-one to understand your specific family dynamics and tailor their legal guidance accordingly during the probate process. Personalized legal services also mean going beyond run-of-the-mill lawyer services. To best tailor their representation to our clients, our attorneys maintain an internal website and email system dedicated solely to communicating with them. Responsiveness to client communications and needs is a keystone of our practice.
Seek Our Team’s Knowledgeable Assistance Today In Naperville
Our lawyers encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible, as mistakes made early in the process can be hard to undo later. To discuss your estate planning needs, call 630-283-1987 or email us. We have offices in Naperville and Joliet. Members of our team are also fluent in Polish.