Most people treat estate planning and family law as two separate worlds — one about wills and trusts, the other about divorce, custody, and support. In reality, they overlap constantly. Every major life change, whether a marriage, a divorce, a new child, or a growing business, is a reason to revisit both your legal documents and your financial plan.
A family law firm that understands both sides can help you protect what you have built and create a plan that holds up when life changes. Whether you are looking for a divorce attorney or beginning to think about asset division, the same principle applies: plan before you are forced to react.
Divorce is one of the most common triggers for updating an estate plan. Beneficiaries, powers of attorney, and even guardianship choices often need to change the moment a marriage ends. Failing to update these documents can leave assets going to someone you no longer intend — or leave important decisions in the hands of the wrong person.
At the same time, divorce requires a full accounting of marital assets. Under Illinois law, marital property is divided equitably, which does not always mean equally. Getting a complete picture of every account, retirement fund, and business interest matters. That is where asset division becomes critical.
In one Bolingbrook case, we represented a wife and mother of two whose husband tried to hide his retirement savings — nearly $560,000 held in brokerage accounts at Fidelity and BlackRock. Through discovery and subpoenas for multiple accounts, we uncovered the hidden funds. Once the accounts came to light, the husband settled and provided our client with maintenance of about $4,000 per month for five years.
Every case is different, and no two outcomes are the same. But that result shows why it pays to dig deeper rather than accept the first numbers you are handed.
Estate planning and family law also intersect where your children are concerned. Parenting time, child support, and guardianship decisions all shape a child's future. Whether you are naming a guardian in a will or working out child support, it helps to think through the legal and financial side together.
Our firm helps families throughout the region, including Palos Hills, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, Lemont, La Grange, Mokena, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Burr Ridge, Oak Brook, Naperville, Darien, Westmont, Hinsdale, Lisle, Western Springs, and Willow Springs. If you have questions about estate planning or family law, contact our office today.