Chicago Estate Litigation Attorney

Lawyer Representing Clients in Matters of Contested Estates Throughout Illinois

When a loved one dies, you will want to do everything you can to make sure their wishes are carried out correctly. Unfortunately, this is sometimes difficult, especially when family members or other heirs disagree over the terms of a will or estate. In these cases, you need an experienced attorney on your side who understands the law and can protect your rights and fight for your interests in court.

Skilled Representation in Estate Disputes

Attorney Stephen M. Komie has over 40 years of experience litigating a wide variety of civil cases, and the knowledgeable attorneys of Komie and Associates understand the best strategies to use during estate litigation. These strategies can include:

• Mental capacity - Disputes over estates often arise when one party questions whether a deceased person (known as the decedent) was of sound mind when they signed their will. We can assist you with using medical records and the testimony of witnesses to demonstrate a decedent's mental state and show whether they had testamentary capacity at the time of signing.
• Undue influence - A will can be disputed if one of the beneficiaries was suspected to have coerced the decedent into signing it or making changes. We can uncover the circumstances of a will's signing and show whether a beneficiary who was in a position of power over the decedent was involved in the creation of estate documents.
• Fraud - We can help determine whether estate documents were forged, whether they were modified without the decedent's knowledge, or whether witnesses to the will's execution were untrustworthy.
• Execution - We can help demonstrate whether a will or trust was properly executed, including meeting legal requirements for signatures and witnesses.
• Fiduciary duty - The executor of an estate has a duty to follow the decedent's wishes and act in the best interests of the estate. We can help uncover any breach of fiduciary duty such as theft of property, misrepresentation of financial figures, or mishandling of assets.
• Interpretation - Disagreements often arise over the terms of a will or trust, including the identities of certain beneficiaries, the descriptions of certain property, or the instructions for distribution of assets. We can help beneficiaries ensure that their loved one's wishes are interpreted correctly.

Contact an Illinois Estate Litigation Lawyer

Whether you are disputing the terms or validity of a will or defending against allegations of undue influence in a contested estate, the skilled attorneys at Komie and Associates can help you ensure that your loved one's wishes are carried out correctly. Contact our Illinois estate litigation attorneys today at 312-263-2800 to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Chicago, Springfield, Bloomington, Quincy, East St. Louis, and throughout Illinois.