Melrose Park Estate Planning Lawyers

Kevin Bruning is a lawyer with more than twenty years of experience in the litigation field. Bruning & Associates, P.C. is a full service law firm devoted to providing high quality, cost efficient and effective legal representation to its clients. The firm was established in January 2000 and has experienced steady and measured growth since its inception. The diverse professional backgrounds of each attorney at Bruning & Associates provide a substantial compliment of expertise and specialization that permits the firm to provide comprehensive legal services to its clients.

For 20 years, I have represented clients in contested divorce and custody matters in McHenry County. I am also a court appointed guardian ad litem and mediator in family law cases. I also provide representation for clients needing estate planning and Medicaid planning.

Practice consists of residential and commercial real estate, wills and trusts.

Trisha focuses her private practice on individual and small business transactional and compliance matters. She handles all areas of real estate law, estate planning and probate matters, and business transactions and compliance. She believes in actively listening and communicating with her clients in order to help them accomplish their goals. Before starting her own practice, Trisha worked in both a large law firm and as general counsel for a small business. While working for one of the largest labor and employment law firms in the country, Trisha gained experience counseling employers on benefit law compliance and transactions....

Attorney engaged in the Private Practice of Law as a Solo Practitioner in the areas of real estate and housing law, eviction and real estate litigation, family law, divorce and child support/custody, probate and guardianship, commercial law, and litigation. Experience in government, corporate and private practice environments. Broad range of experience in other areas including: corporate law, intellectual property, business management, litigation, government legal environments, compliance, and real estate acquisitions. Practicing Illinois Attorney for 27 years and Arbitrator for the Cook County Court system since 1990. Extensive experience in management, administration, negotiations and contracting. Both South Suburban and Chicago Office...

Andrew Kelleher, a co-founder of Kelleher + Holland, LLC, had a vision of legal services deeply rooted in high-level client services from the very inception of his career. He believes that nothing replaces old-fashioned hard work. That hard work has been focused on putting the client’s best interests first for 25 years. Andy concentrates his practice in trust and estate law, business law, tax law, and asset protection planning for high net worth business owners, executives, and individuals. He enjoys the never-ending challenges of solving complex estate and tax planning puzzles for his clients. Being both an attorney and a CPA,...

Richard has been an attorney since 1972. He brings a wealth of experience to his work. His main areas of practice are Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation, Estate Planning and Real Estate. He and his staff have been recognized in the community for their professionalism and responsiveness. He has been listed as one of Expertise.com's "Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Elgin 2021". However, the highest honor he has received throughout his career is that his clients often refer their children to him. He has proudly served multiple generations of families in the Kane County area and beyond.

Robert Holland concentrates his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation, corporate transactional work, business planning, asset protection, commercial real estate transactions and prenuptial agreements. His experience as both an attorney and a CPA enables him to offer a blend of legal and financial advice for over a decade. Bob’s business planning practice includes representation regarding the formation and operation of corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, including ownership agreements, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, and not-for-profit planning.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston has worked in the Illinois Valley legal community for the past seven years handling many litigation related matters including will contests, property tax appeals, breach of contract, and personal injury claims.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the Editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts and estates....

David Stejkowski is a seasoned estate planning and commercial real estate attorney with over three decades of experience. Based in Illinois, David is dedicated to helping clients secure their financial futures through comprehensive and integrated planning strategies. His practice, The Stejkowski Law Firm, LLC, focuses on commercial real estate transactions, estate planning, and business formation. David's approach is deeply client-centered. As an experienced real estate investor himself, David brings a sophisticated understanding of the market to his practice. He is committed to guiding clients through the intricacies of commercial real estate law, ensuring their investments are secure and profitable. He...

Mary Ludwig received her J.D. and M.B.A., along with a Certificate in Food and Agricultural Law from Drake University in 2005. Prior to that she received a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Economics from the University of Illinois. Mary concentrates her practice in agricultural law, estate planning, real estate transactions and probate. Her agricultural law experience includes organization and representation of production agricultural farm operations, agricultural cooperatives, grain elevators, agricultural input suppliers, ethanol and bio-diesel plants, and specialty farm product companies, wind tower and cell tower leases and easements, pipeline, gas, public utility and fiber optic easements,...

Since entering private practice, Attorney Smith has maintained a general practice with a concentration in family law. He has been a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and Winnebago County Bar Association for over forty years each. Attorney Smith is currently a member of the family law section of each of these associations. He is currently on an advisory panel for the American Bar Association. He has been a presenter to other attorneys locally on family law and child related topics.

For over forty years Attorney Michael J. Smith has provided experienced family law representation. Family law...

My legal practice is primarily focused on Personal Injury, Estate Planning, and Probate Law. With a wealth of experience spanning over thirty-five years in each of these areas, I have consistently taken on a leading role in litigation, mediation, and settlement negotiations. In my capacity as the lead attorney, I diligently prepared for and handled 10-15 trials annually. This involved a range of tasks, including interviewing witnesses, managing interrogatories, responding to requests for production and admissions, conducting and defending depositions, crafting interlocutory motions, and preparing and presenting requested instructions in jury cases. Together with my two partners, we successfully expanded our law...

Jacob J. Frost practices in the areas of estate/trust administration, residential and commercial real estate purchases and sales, business organizations, governmental law, and wills and trusts. Attorney Frost has served and represented clients in the Illinois Valley area for several years. Frost earned his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, with high honors in Legal Research and Writing. He received his Associate of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Illinois Valley Community College and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was admitted to both Phi Beta Kappa...

Ralph Elliott has been engaged in the practice of law in Freeport, Illinois since 1981. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Summa Cum Laude, earning Phi Beta Kappa recognition in 1978.He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1981. Ralph is admitted to the practice of law in the state of Illinois, the federal courts for the Northern District of Illinois (including the Trial Bar), the Central District of Illinois, and the Federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Meghan N. Bolte received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Accounting and Political Science from Augustana College in 2007. She received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the John Marshall Law School in 2010, where she graduated magna cum laude. She was also a member of the John Marshall Law Review and a John Marshall Distinguished Scholar. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2010 and to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois in 2011. She is currently a member of the Illinois Bar Association and the Winnebago County Bar Association.

Paul is an experienced civil litigation attorney. With a strong background in the insurance defense field for 30+ years, he is a knowledgeable and experienced trial and defense attorney. As well as being a litigator in trial courts, Paul has also argued cases before the Third District Appellate Court and the Supreme Court of Illinois.
He is currently a member of the LaSalle County, Illinois State Bar Assocation and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Paul served on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Professional Responsibility from 2006 to 2015; and served as a special assistant Attorney General from...

Christina Willman earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2018. She received a degree in Agribusiness, Cum Laude, upon graduating from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2015. While in law school, Christina was a member of the Jessup International Moot Court team. In addition, Christina was a student attorney in the Clinical Law program, focusing on estate planning and general litigation. She also has completed legal internships at Vermeer Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment in Pella, Iowa, and the Michigan Farm Bureau.

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I am Jack G. Schuler, a detail-oriented attorney with a robust background in legal research, writing, and appellate practice. I am adept at drafting persuasive briefs, analyzing complex legal issues, and presenting effective oral arguments. My dedication to providing exceptional representation is particularly focused on underserved clients, whom I serve with creativity and empathy. I am licensed to practice in Illinois and am deeply committed to advancing justice through collaborative teamwork. I earned my Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, IA, in May 2023. During my time at law school, I was honored to be on the...

Abigayle (Abby) Endress grew up in Pearl City, Illinois. She graduated from Highland Community College in 2018. In 2020, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned her Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 2023, with a certificate in Food and Agricultural Law. While in law school, Abby was selected as a teaching assistant for an introductory legal research course and worked as a student attorney in the Drake Legal Clinic. She was also a member of Drake Law Women, Drake Agriculture and Environmental Association,...

Karla has practiced law since 2002 and represents clients in various areas of the law. She concentrates her practice in family law, adoptions, guardianships, juvenile matters, DUI's, traffic matters, Commercial Driver's license infractions, expungement and sealing of criminal records, wills, powers of attorney, and personal injury litigation. Karla has also written many appellate briefs and argued a case before the Second District Appellate Court in Elgin, IL. Karla was an Assistant State's Attorney from 2003 – 2007 with the Stephenson County State's Attorney's Office in Freeport, IL. Since 2007 she has been engaged in private practice of law and opened her...

Assisting small businesses with a variety of issues, including applications for government assistance, real estate transfers and asset protection.

I founded The Heartland Law Firm and ElderSmart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families during the Elder Transition. With nearly three decades of experience, I have served as an attorney, mentor, and trusted guide through life’s most challenging moments. Initially, I did not always enjoy being a lawyer. In my early years, I felt the profession was overly focused on documents and fees rather than on people. This perspective shifted as I started working with families dealing with loss, aging, and uncertainty. I realized the profound impact of blending legal knowledge with compassion, and from that point, I fully committed...