While the consequences of death or catastrophic illness is not something most people want to think about, real problems can result from failing to plan for such eventualities.

There are many issues to consider, only some of which are addressed by such questions as:

• Where will my property go when I die?
• What happens if I don't have a will?
• Can I choose where my property will go?
• What is Probate?  Can I avoid it?
• Who will be making my healthcare and medical decisions if I am unable to do so?
• Can I decide in advance what will happen with my medical care?
• Will my family be forced to make my medical deicions for me?
• Can I keep my family from making my medical decisions for me?
• What will happen to my child(ren) if I die?
• Can I leave money to provide for my child(ren)'s education?
• Can I leave money to provide for someone I am not related to?
• What if I'm not married?  Can I make sure that my partner is taken care of?
• Can I leave money to charity?
• Should I leave gifts from my estate before I die?
• What is a Will?  A Trust?  A Living Trust?  A Living Will?  A Power of Attorney for Healthcare?  An Advance Healthcare Directive?

The attorneys at Illinois law firm Joseph P. McCaffery & Associates can answer these questions and help you plan for the future.  Read this article by one of our attorneys for descriptions of various legal documents, or review our Estate Planning Checklist.  Contact our law firm for further information and an free initial consultation about estates, wills, trust and probate.

Joseph P. McCaffery & Associates
with offices in Aurora, Chicago and Lombard, Ill.
Office hours (weekday, evening and weekend) by appointment only
Phone: 630-801-8691  Fax: 801-806-8691  e-mail

Joseph P. McCaffery & Associates serves clients worldwide with interests in Illinois. 
The practice spans Northern Illinois including Chicago and surrounding suburbs such as Aurora, Naperville, Waukegan, Elgin, Joliet, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Arlington Heights, Palatine and Bolingbrook, and Central/Southern Illinois.

The firm serves clients before the Northern District U.S. Court and courts in Cook County and
the Collar Counties of Kane County, DuPage County, Lake County, McHenry County, Will County, DeKalb County and Kendall County, Illinois.