Planning your estate or caring for an aging parent takes trusted counsel. Below are 28 estate & elder law attorneys serving Waukegan, IL — compare ratings, read reviews, and schedule a consultation. Providers listed in Waukegan cover estate planning attorney and probate attorney. Waukegan sits in Lake County, Illinois. Other Illinois cities covered include Chicago, Aurora and West Dundee.
Estate planning attorneys in Waukegan, IL: a local guide
We currently track 25 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Waukegan, IL in Lake County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.5★ from 1,464 total reviews, and 16 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Albarran & Mennie, P.C. is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.9★ across 433 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Waukegan
Rough planning ranges for the Waukegan area:
Service
Typical range
Simple will package
$350–$1,350
Revocable living trust package
$1,700–$4,500
Full estate plan or probate work
$3,350–$8,950+
Many Waukegan 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 Waukegan
For probate, ask about the realistic timeline and total cost for a Waukegan-area estate before you engage.
Make sure they'll keep your plan current as laws and your family change, and how updates are billed.
Read reviews and ask for references from recent Waukegan 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 Waukegan.
Questions to ask before you hire
Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Will you help fund the trust and store the documents?
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 Waukegan matter?
Many Waukegan 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 Waukegan?
Many Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan-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 Waukegan firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Waukegan: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Waukegan?
In the Waukegan 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 Waukegan area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration