Estate Planning · DuPage County, Illinois
Wills, trusts, and the planning that keeps your family in control and out of court, from the same DuPage County firm since 1990.
Guardianship isn’t something most people plan for — until they suddenly need it. A parent develops dementia and can’t manage their finances. A child loses both parents and needs a legal caretaker. An adult child with disabilities turns 18 and you lose the ability to make medical or financial decisions for them. Illinois guardianship provides the legal solution.
We’ve represented guardians in DuPage County probate court for over thirty years. The process can feel intimidating — court hearings, GAL evaluations, ongoing reporting requirements — but with experienced counsel, it’s manageable. We walk you through every step.
Different situations call for different guardianship structures. We help you choose the right approach.
Legal authority over a child whose parents have died, are unable to care for them, or have voluntarily transferred custody.
Authority over personal and medical decisions for an adult who cannot make them — typically due to dementia, brain injury, or developmental disability.
Authority over financial and property decisions for an adult who can’t manage their own assets. Separate from personal guardianship.
For disabled adults — typically established when a child turns 18. We coordinate with special needs trusts for long-term care.
Court-tailored authority over only specific decisions, preserving the ward’s autonomy in other areas.
Temporary 60-day authority for urgent situations where waiting for a full hearing would cause harm.
We draft and file the guardianship petition with the DuPage probate court, including all required medical certificates.
The court appoints a Guardian ad Litem to evaluate the case and interview all relevant parties.
Brief hearing where the judge reviews the petition, GAL report, and any objections before granting guardianship.
Annual reports to the court — we help guardians meet their reporting obligations throughout the case.
Choosing between full, limited, of person, of estate, or co-guardianship affects everything that follows.
The petition must contain specific allegations and supporting medical evidence. Errors cause delays.
Illinois requires notice to specific relatives. Missed notices can void the case.
We prepare you and family members for the GAL interview, which often determines the outcome.
We appear with you at the hearing, present evidence, and handle any objections from other family members.
Once appointed, guardians have ongoing reporting and accounting requirements. We help with annual filings.
From our Villa Park office, we represent clients across DuPage County and the western suburbs of Chicago.
Standard cases take 60-90 days from petition to court order, depending on court calendar and complexity. Emergency guardianships can be granted within days for genuine urgent situations.
Costs include attorney fees, court filing fees, and the GAL fee. We provide flat-fee quotes for most guardianship cases at your free consultation. Contested cases — where another family member objects — cost more.
Often no. A valid durable POA executed before incapacity usually substitutes for adult guardianship. If your loved one already has POAs in place, guardianship may be unnecessary. We can review their documents to advise.
Yes. Any interested party can object, requiring an evidentiary hearing. Contested guardianships are more expensive and time-consuming. Many disputes resolve through co-guardianship arrangements rather than full litigation.
Guardians of estate must file annual accountings showing all income and expenses. Guardians of person must file annual reports about the ward’s condition and care. We help with these filings.
Only by court order, typically for misconduct or failure to perform duties. As long as you’re acting in good faith and meeting reporting obligations, your appointment is secure.
Whether the need is urgent or you’re planning ahead for when your child turns 18, we’ll walk you through Illinois guardianship at your free consultation.