Probate Attorney in Orland Park, IL
Lost a loved one and facing the court process? We guide Illinois families through probate and trust administration, one step at a time.
Serving Orland Park, Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox, Joliet, and Will & DuPage County
★★★★★“Michael and his staff were very professional and attentive to our needs. He was a pleasure to work with.”Ronald C., Google review
Request Your Consultation
Your details go straight to our team so we can start reviewing your case right away. Your consultation is free, with no obligation.
or call (708) 364-7280
Proud members of the Illinois State Bar Association, ElderCounsel, and WealthCounsel.
Losing Someone Is Hard Enough. We Handle the Legal Side.
Being named executor or trustee, settling an estate, dealing with the court, it is overwhelming when you are also grieving. Since 1992, Fowler Huguelet has walked Illinois families through probate and trust administration step by step, handling the paperwork, the deadlines, and the court so you do not have to.
You will always know where things stand, and you will never face the process alone. We keep things moving as efficiently as the court allows.
How Fowler Huguelet helps you
- Opening the estate in Will, DuPage, or Cook County
- Notifying heirs and creditors
- Valuing and protecting estate assets
- Trust administration for successor trustees
- Paying debts and final taxes
- Will and trust disputes when they arise
Which Best Describes Your Situation?
Tell us where you are and we’ll point you in the right direction. Every path starts with a conversation at no cost to you.
I was named executor or trustee
We guide you through every court step, deadline, and form so nothing is missed.
Get started →A loved one passed with no will
We handle the Illinois court process and sort out who inherits, the right way.
Get started →I need to transfer property or accounts
We get the estate opened and the assets released and retitled correctly.
Get started →Signs It’s Time to Call a Probate Attorney
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth a no-cost conversation. We’ll tell you honestly whether you need us.
- ✓You’ve been named executor or trustee and don’t know where to start
- ✓A loved one passed away, with or without a will
- ✓The bank or title company is asking for letters of office
- ✓Property or accounts need to be transferred to the heirs
- ✓Heirs disagree about how the estate should be handled
- ✓You need to open probate in Will, DuPage, or Cook County
- ✓You’ve been named an executor, trustee, or guardian
- ✓You want to plan for medical or financial decisions if you’re incapacitated
- ✓You want to keep your affairs private and out of court
- ✓You want to spare your family cost, delay, and stress
Ready to Talk to a Probate Attorney Today?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Reach out and you’ll speak directly with our team, get a complimentary consultation, and know your next step.
- ✓You speak with our team, not a call center
- ✓Your first consultation is at no cost, no obligation
- ✓Local to Orland Park, Will & DuPage County
- ✓4.9 stars from 247 Google reviews
How It Works
A simple, three-step process, with us handling the hard parts.
Complimentary case review
We look at the estate and tell you exactly what needs to happen, in plain language.
We handle the court
We manage the filings, deadlines, creditors, and paperwork so you do not have to.
The estate is settled
Assets are distributed properly and your family can move forward.
Understanding Probate in Illinois
Straightforward answers to the questions Illinois families ask us most. This is general information to help you understand your options, and every situation is different.
Does every estate have to go through probate in Illinois?
Not always. Assets with a named beneficiary, payable-on-death accounts, jointly held property, and property in a living trust can pass outside probate. Whether probate is needed depends on how the assets are titled and the value of the estate.
What is a small estate affidavit?
In Illinois, if an estate is under a set value and has no real estate, heirs may be able to use a small estate affidavit to transfer assets without full probate. We can tell you quickly whether your situation qualifies.
What are letters of office?
Letters of office are the court document that gives the executor or administrator legal authority to act for the estate. Banks and title companies usually require them before they will release assets.
How is trust administration different from probate?
Trust administration happens outside of court, which is often faster and private, but the successor trustee still has real legal duties. Probate is the court-supervised process used when there is a will or no plan at all.
Is there a deadline to open probate in Illinois?
There are important deadlines, including time limits to admit a will and to notify creditors. Waiting can complicate the estate, so it is best to speak with an attorney soon after a loved one passes.
What happens if there is no will?
Illinois intestacy law decides who inherits, and the rules differ for spouses, children, and other relatives. The estate still goes through probate, and we help families through it.
This information is general and not a substitute for legal advice about your specific situation. Request a complimentary consultation and we’ll give you answers tailored to your family.
Why Illinois Families Choose Fowler Huguelet
Trusted Since 1992
Fowler Huguelet has helped families across Will, DuPage, and Cook County for over 30 years, and we know the local courts.
Genuine Care
We treat your family the way we would want our own treated, with honesty and real compassion at every step.
Reliable Answers
We explain your options in plain language so you always understand what is happening and why.
No Cost to Start
Reach out and you will speak with our team, and find out your options at no cost to you, with no obligation.
What Our Clients Say
“Michael and his staff were very professional and attentive to our needs. He crafted exactly what we were looking for in an estate plan. He was a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend his services for estate planning.”
“Very knowledgeable about trusts. Gave great advice to maximize the benefits. Michael and staff are very approachable and answered questions in a timely manner. We recommend him highly and without reservations.”
“I went to Michael Huguelet to set up my estate plan. I was looking for an alternative to a Trust. Mr. Huguelet informed me of other options and set up an estate plan that I am very happy with. I highly recommend his services.”
Rated 4.9 out of 5 across 247 Google reviews
Meet Your Attorneys
Michael has helped Illinois families protect their legacies for more than three decades, with deep experience in estate planning, trusts, and probate. Clients know him for clear advice and genuine care.
Christopher guides families and business owners through estate planning, probate, and asset protection, focused on practical plans that hold up and are easy to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
My loved one just passed. What do I do first?
Take a breath, you have time. The first step is a complimentary case review, where we look at the estate and tell you exactly what needs to happen, in plain language. From there we handle the filings and guide you through each step.
Do I really need a probate attorney?
Probate in Illinois involves court deadlines and legal duties, and as executor, mistakes can make you personally responsible. Most families work with an attorney to avoid costly errors and take the weight off their shoulders.
How long does probate take in Illinois?
Illinois probate often takes several months to more than a year, depending on the size of the estate and whether there are disputes. We work to keep your case moving as efficiently as the court allows.
What is trust administration?
If your loved one had a living trust, the successor trustee still has to notify beneficiaries, value and manage assets, pay debts, and make distributions. We guide trustees through those duties so nothing is missed.
What if there’s no will?
The estate still goes through the court, and Illinois law decides who inherits. We help families navigate this and make sure everything is settled properly and fairly.
Areas We Serve
Proudly serving Orland Park, Homer Glen, Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox, Tinley Park, and families throughout Will and DuPage County.
Talk to a Probate Attorney Today
A no-cost, no-pressure consultation. We’ll get right back to you.
Call (708) 364-7280