Kopec, White & Spooner Attorneys at Law have provided representation for numerous clients when they need a Will or Trust drafted or when they seek more extensive estate planning and business succession planning services.  A client’s Last Will and Testament is a unique, personal expression of a client’s intentions for the estate they will leave behind, and the lawyers of Kopec, White & Spooner will work with clients to determine the objectives they hold and provide experienced and straightforward counsel to accomplish the client’s intended results.

The lawyers of Kopec, White & Spooner have found that the estates of their clients are as unique and varied as the clients themselves.  When it comes to estate planning, that means there is not simply a “one size fits all” solution available to maximize the client’s goals.  Depending on individual circumstances consideration may be given to implementing the use of annual gift strategies, a revocable lifetime trust (also known as an “Inter Vivos Trust”), an Irrevocable Trust, an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, or some combination of these and other instruments and strategies.

Lawyers Mike Kopec, Dave White & Scott Spooner will work with the client and, if desired, collaborate with the client’s personal professional team including accountants, insurance agents and investment advisers, in crafting an estate plan which takes into account estate tax planning, potential estate tax liability and probate and estate administration issues.

Kopec, White & Spooner Attorneys also provide business succession planning for small business owners in Springfield and central Illinois.  Small business owners know that in addition to all of the standard estate planning considerations they must also address strategies under which their business will continue to operate and thrive long after they are gone.  This typically requires identification of the person or persons who are intended to carry on the business.  Once the future management of the business has been identified, then strategies may be put in place which will provide for the transition of the operation of that business to the new management.

The lawyers of Kopec, White & Spooner also routinely assist clients in the preparation of appropriate Powers of Attorney in connection with their estate planning services and the drafting of Wills and Trusts.  Illinois law provides the format for a Power of Attorney for Health Care, a Power of Attorney for Property and a durable Power of Attorney.  As part of the estate planning process, the impact of these powers of attorney will be explained to clients who may then identify the person they wish to have acting on their behalf in the event they are unable to do so for themselves.

If you are interested in exploring your estate planning needs or in having a Will and/or Trust drafted, the lawyers of Kopec, White & Spooner invite you to arrange an initial consultation by calling their offices at 217-726-7540.