The best estate planning lawyers in Chicago in 2026 include Levin Schreder & Carey for estate and tax planning, Chuhak & Tecson and Levenfeld Pearlstein among full-service firms, Matlin Law Group and Ross Law Firm in the suburbs, Bielski Chapman for special needs and LGBTQ+ planning, and Illinois Estate Law and Carrier Law Group for straightforward family plans.
| Firm | Office | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Levin Schreder & Carey | The Loop | Estate and income tax planning | Larger estates with tax questions |
| 2. Chuhak & Tecson | West Loop | Estate planning and asset protection | Business owners with several legal needs |
| 3. Levenfeld Pearlstein (LP) | West Loop | Trusts and estates, tax planning | Families with complex assets |
| 4. Matlin Law Group | Northbrook & Bannockburn | Wills, trusts and administration | North suburban families |
| 5. Bielski Chapman | The Loop | Special needs and LGBTQ+ planning | Families with special circumstances |
| 6. Illinois Estate Law | North Side | Flat-fee wills, trusts and probate | Budget-conscious families and online intake |
| 7. Carrier Law Group | West Loop | Wills, trusts and probate | Straightforward family plans |
| 8. Ross Law Firm | Schaumburg & Rolling Meadows | Custom wills and trusts | Northwest suburban families and business owners |
| 9. Fagan Fagan & Davis | Des Plaines & Park Ridge | Estate planning and real estate | Near-O'Hare clients with several matters |
Most families need a will or a revocable trust, powers of attorney for property and health care, and up-to-date beneficiary forms. Large firms make most sense for substantial estates, tax planning or a family business. For a straightforward plan, a smaller practice may charge much less, and a few publish flat fees. Ask for the price in writing before you start.
A firm devoted to estate and income tax planning.
Levin Schreder & Carey says it's one of the largest Chicago-area firms devoted exclusively to estate and income tax planning and related disputes. It was formed in 1988 and has a Lisle office as well as one in the Loop.
Good to know: If you own a business or significant assets, bring recent statements.
120 N LaSalle St, 38th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602
A full-service firm with a private clients group.
Chuhak & Tecson separates its services for private clients from its work for businesses, with estate planning, asset protection and elder law on the private side.
Good to know: A full-service firm can coordinate corporate and estate work for owners.
120 S Riverside Plz, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60606
Mid-sized firm with both Chicago and Northbrook offices.
Levenfeld Pearlstein lists tax planning and trusts and estates alongside real estate and corporate work, from Riverside Plaza and Northbrook.
Good to know: Ask for a clear fee estimate. Firms of this kind often bill hourly.
120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60606
A free first consultation from a focused Northbrook firm.
Matlin Law Group focuses on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate and trust administration and advertises a free consultation. It says it serves Chicago as well as Cook and Lake counties.
Good to know: Bring a list of your accounts and how each is titled.
500 Skokie Blvd, Suite 100, Northbrook, IL 60062
Lists LGBTQ+, special needs and Medicaid planning.
Bielski Chapman lists LGBTQ+ estate and family planning, special needs planning and Medicaid planning, in addition to standard wills and trusts. Those can be hard to find at a general practice. It's by appointment at North Wacker Drive and Skokie.
Good to know: Ask about special needs trusts if a family member receives benefits.
123 N Wacker Dr, Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60606
Advertises flat fees and online intake.
Illinois Estate Law advertises flat-fee estate planning, probate, trusts, guardianship, wills and powers of attorney from a North Side office on Ravenswood Avenue, with virtual meetings.
Good to know: Check what the flat fee includes before you start.
4422 N Ravenswood Ave, Suite 212, Chicago, IL 60640
A focused practice near the train stations.
Carrier Law Group handles wills, trusts and probate from North Riverside Plaza, near Ogilvie and Union Station. It offers a free consultation, which makes it easy to compare.
Good to know: Ask what a basic package includes.
150 N Riverside Plaza, Suite 1950-B, Chicago, IL 60606
A family firm in Inverness.
Ross Law Firm prepares custom wills and trusts for families and business owners, and also handles estate administration and premarital agreements, from an office in Inverness.
Good to know: Business owners should ask about succession planning.
1622 W Colonial Pkwy, Suite 201, Inverness, IL 60067
A general firm that handles estate and real estate together.
Fagan Fagan & Davis handles estate planning and residential real estate in Des Plaines, which can be convenient if you're also buying or selling a home.
Good to know: Check whether your home deed should change along with your plan.
950 Lee St, Suite 200, Des Plaines, IL 60016
A will is simpler and cheaper, but it generally goes through probate. A revocable trust can avoid probate if it's properly funded, and it adds privacy, but it costs more up front. Which is better depends on what you own and your family.
In general, it must be in writing and signed by you, with two credible witnesses signing in your presence. Don't use a beneficiary as a witness. A lawyer can make sure the formalities are met.
Illinois has its own estate tax, with a much lower threshold than the federal one, so some families who owe no federal tax still owe Illinois tax. Ask a lawyer about your number, since the rules can change.
It varies by firm and complexity. Some firms publish flat fees for a will or trust package, while others bill hourly. Ask what's included, especially whether the firm will help fund a trust.