★ 4.8 (131 reviews) ·
636 S Des Plaines River Rd #100, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
2. Chie Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (73 reviews) ·
2454 E Dempster St #310, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
★ 4.9 (67 reviews) ·
2860 S River Rd Ste 220, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
★ 4.9 (49 reviews) ·
1430 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
5. Loza Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (22 reviews) ·
2340 S River Rd Ste 120, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
6. The Rogoff Law Group PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (10 reviews) ·
1700 W Higgins Rd Ste 430, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
7. MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle, Ltd. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (7 reviews) ·
701 Lee St #680, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
8. Erickson Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (16 reviews) ·
716 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
9. Reizner Robin Cheryl Attorney At Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (8 reviews) ·
2720 S River Rd #58, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
10. Louis Capozzoli, Esq. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.9 (14 reviews) ·
1484 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
11. Magnolia Law LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (32 reviews) ·
2860 S River Rd Ste 220, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
12. Neil J Kaiser Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (5 reviews) ·
716 Lee St #1, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
13. Chelin Law Group Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (8 reviews) ·
701 Lee St Ste 645, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
14. Ronald G. Pestine & Associates - Des Plaines Estate Planning Attorney
701 Lee St Ste 795, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
15. Law Office of Christina M. Christl Estate Planning Attorney
960 Rand Rd #108-A, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
Estate planning attorneys in Des Plaines, IL: a local guide
We currently track 15 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Des Plaines, IL in Cook County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.7★ from 442 total reviews, and 11 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Michalski & Gubernat, P.C. is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.8★ across 131 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Des Plaines
Rough planning ranges for the Des Plaines area:
| Service | Typical range |
|---|
| Simple will package | $300–$1,200 |
| Revocable living trust package | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Full estate plan or probate work | $3,000–$8,000+ |
Many Des Plaines estate attorneys quote flat fees for wills and trusts and bill hourly (often $250-$500/hr) for probate. Ask for a written fee agreement before you engage.
How to choose an estate attorney in Des Plaines
- Read reviews and ask for references from recent Des Plaines estate clients.
- Pick a lawyer who focuses on estate planning and probate, not a generalist who dabbles.
- Confirm they're licensed and in good standing with the state bar, and ask how long they've practiced near Des Plaines.
- Ask whether wills and trusts are flat-fee and what that covers (funding the trust, revisions, directives).
- Ask who actually does the work — the attorney, a paralegal, or a form service — and who you'll call with questions.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How do updates work as laws or my family change?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What's the realistic timeline for my Des Plaines matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Many Des Plaines listings also handle wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate administration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a will or living trust cost in Des Plaines?
Many Des Plaines estate attorneys charge flat fees, roughly $300 to $1,200 for a simple will package and $1,500 to $4,000 for a revocable living trust. Probate work is often billed hourly. Ask for a written fee agreement up front.
Do I need a will or a living trust?
It depends on your assets and goals. A will is simpler and cheaper; a living trust can avoid probate and keep matters private. A short consultation with a Des Plaines estate attorney will tell you which fits.
How much does probate cost and how long does it take?
Probate cost and timeline vary by estate and county. Simple Des Plaines-area estates can take several months, while complex ones run over a year. Ask the attorney for a realistic estimate for your situation.
What is the difference between estate planning and elder law?
Estate planning focuses on wills, trusts, and passing on assets; elder law also covers long-term care, Medicaid planning, and guardianship. Many Des Plaines firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Des Plaines: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Des Plaines?
In the Des Plaines area, simple wills often run $300–$1,200 and living trust packages $1,500–$4,000; probate and elder law work is commonly billed hourly at $250–$500. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost initial consultation — talk to two or three.
Estate planning vs. elder law vs. probate — which do I need?
Estate planning covers wills, trusts, and powers of attorney while you're healthy. Elder law adds Medicaid planning, guardianship, and long-term-care protection. Probate is the court process after a death — probate attorneys guide executors through estate administration.
What else do these firms handle?
Many attorneys above also handle special needs planning, asset protection, beneficiary disputes, estate tax planning, and real estate transfers in the Des Plaines area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration
Local resources for Des Plaines
More around Des Plaines, IL: nearby towns and local resources.
- Attorneys in neighbouring towns
- Mount Prospect, IL
17 estate & elder law attorneys · 3 mi - Park Ridge, IL
7 estate & elder law attorneys · 3 mi - Niles, IL
3 estate & elder law attorneys · 5 mi - Arlington Heights, IL
21 estate & elder law attorneys · 6 mi - Rolling Meadows, IL
3 estate & elder law attorneys · 7 mi - Northbrook, IL
11 estate & elder law attorneys · 7 mi - Northfield, IL
2 estate & elder law attorneys · 8 mi - Skokie, IL
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- Des Plaines official website
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History, population & landmarks - Des Plaines Public Library
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