Legal Services for Chicago’s South Suburbs
Helping Families in the South Suburbs Plan Ahead
Compassionate legal guidance close to home
The Law Office of Johann Chau is proud to serve families in Chicago’s south suburban communities, including Orland Park, Homer Glen, and surrounding areas. We provide practical, personalized legal support for probate, trust administration, guardianship, special needs planning, Medicaid asset protection, and real estate closings. Our goal is to help suburban families protect their loved ones and assets with clear, approachable guidance.
Comprehensive Legal Support for South Suburban Clients
Guiding you through life’s most important decisions
We provide the following services to clients throughout the south suburbs:
Probate
Helping executors and heirs manage estates through Cook and Will County probate courts
Trust Administration
Supporting trustees in handling suburban assets in compliance with Illinois law
Guardianship
Assisting families in Orland Park and Homer Glen with petitions to care for minors or incapacitated loved ones
Special Needs Trusts (SNT)
Creating trusts to protect benefits while providing supplemental support for disabled loved ones
Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPT)
Helping families preserve homes and savings while preparing for long-term care expenses
Real Estate Closings
Legal guidance for buying or selling residential property throughout the south suburbs
Understanding the Needs of South Suburban Families
Legal planning for property and long-term care
Families in the south suburbs often prioritize preserving homes and planning for generational wealth transfer. In Orland Park and Homer Glen, many clients are homeowners who want to protect their property through trusts or Medicaid planning. Probate in Will County and southern Cook County has its own specific filing procedures, making local knowledge essential. Families in these areas also frequently seek guidance on guardianship and special needs planning to secure care for children and elderly parents while keeping assets protected for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions for South Suburban Families
Practical guidance for Orland Park, Homer Glen, and beyond
How does probate work in the south suburbs?
Probate is filed in the county where the deceased person lived or owned property. For south suburban families, this often means working through Will County in Joliet or southern Cook County courts. Each court has its own filing procedures and deadlines, so understanding the local process is essential. We guide executors through every step, ensuring all legal requirements are met and estates are settled efficiently for families in Orland Park, Homer Glen, and surrounding areas.
Why is trust administration valuable for suburban estates?
Trust administration helps avoid probate and ensures assets are distributed smoothly, which is particularly important for families with real estate holdings in the south suburbs. Trustees are responsible for managing property, communicating with beneficiaries, and meeting legal obligations. We provide clear, step-by-step support to help trustees manage assets such as family homes, investment properties, or farmland while staying compliant with Illinois law and meeting the needs of the beneficiaries.
When should a family consider guardianship?
Guardianship becomes necessary when someone cannot make decisions for themselves and no legal documents, like powers of attorney, are in place. Families in Orland Park and Homer Glen often seek guardianship for aging parents who want to remain in their homes or for minor children in need of a legal caretaker. The process requires filing a petition with the local court and providing evidence of incapacity. We help families navigate this sensitive process while ensuring they can care for their loved ones legally and effectively.
How do Special Needs Trusts help south suburban families?
Special Needs Trusts allow families to provide financial support for a disabled loved one without impacting eligibility for Medicaid or SSI. In the south suburbs, where families often have multiple properties or larger estates, an SNT is a vital planning tool to preserve benefits while enhancing quality of life. These trusts can pay for supplemental care, therapy, and personal needs. We help families create SNTs that comply with Illinois law and integrate with their overall estate plan.
Why are Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts important for homeowners here?
In the south suburbs, preserving the family home is often a top priority. A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust allows you to shield your property and savings from being depleted by long-term care costs while ensuring you qualify for Medicaid when needed. Because Illinois has a five-year look-back period for asset transfers, setting up a MAPT early is essential. We work with families in Orland Park, Homer Glen, and surrounding areas to structure these trusts so they protect both assets and access to care.