Peck Ritchey, LLC > Probate, Trust, and Guardianship Litigation > Will Construction, Interpretation, and Reformation

Chicago Will Construction, Interpretation, and Reformation Attorneys

Representing the final wishes of a loved one, wills provide families with an apparatus with which their loved one’s estate may be divided. As a document that will prove to be such a critical resource for their families, many people living in Chicago choose to determine the exact language of their will with an experienced Chicago probate attorney in order to prevent any potential disputes among beneficiaries. However, as the attorneys at Peck Ritchey, LLC know, in order to accomplish this feat, the interpretation and reformation of a previously constructed will may be required.

This process can be daunting and confusing, but you don’t have to do it alone. We can handle the paperwork, so you can handle the things that matter most to you after losing a loved one. If you are in the Chicago area and need help constructing, interpreting, or reforming a will, don’t hesitate to reach out to Peck Ritchey, LLC at (855) 328-5787 or using the live chat feature on our website.

Why do I Need a Will Construction, Interpretation, and Reformation Attorney?

Wills can be complicated. The language can be difficult to comprehend, and family and friends can disagree with the decisions made by their loved one before they died. In order to avoid confusion and conflict, and to ensure you are following the final wishes of your loved one as closely as possible, it can be very helpful to hire an attorney to interpret a will. Once the will is interpreted, it may become necessary to reform it if there are any mistakes or parts that aren’t clear. This can lead to further conflict between loved ones and beneficiaries.

When you have recently lost a loved one, you should be focusing on grieving their death and returning to a somewhat normal way of life without them. You do not want all of your thoughts and actions to constantly revolve around the division of your loved one’s possessions and estate. Instead, let us handle everything involving their will. We will serve as an objective voice in the matter and will hold you to what was desired by the person who died.

Why Choose Peck Ritchey, LLC to Handle My Case?

If you live in the Chicago or Northbrook areas and need an attorney to construct, interpret, or reform a will, Peck Ritchey, LLC is the best choice for you. We have over 100 years of experience handling probate, trust, and guardianship litigation, and we bring that experience with us to every new case and client we take on. Kerry R. Peck, our managing partner, has been selected by his peers as a “Super Lawyer” every year for the last 11 years. This means that he is an attorney that other attorneys would feel comfortable referring family members and friends to. He was also awarded the Justice John Paul Stevens Award in 2014, which is the highest honor awarded by the Chicago Bar Association.

Timothy J. Ritchey is a partner at our firm, and estate and trust litigation is a large focus of his practice. He has written legislation and testified before the Illinois State Senate, and has been appointed Special Assistant Attorney General on various matters because people value his opinion when it comes to statewide healthcare and disability policies.

When you work with Peck Ritchey, LLC, you will work with one of our ten highly experienced attorneys, and each and every one of us is dedicated to serving the citizens of Cook County, Lake County, Kane County, and DuPage County with as much care as possible. Your attorney will treat your case with caution because we understand how difficult it can be to have to interpret a will so soon after the loss of a loved one. We will do our best to make this experience as straightforward and as stress-free as possible so that you can focus on grieving your loved one while we handle all of the paperwork and legal jargon.

Will Construction, Interpretation, and Reformation Services in Chicago

If you would like to construct a will, the process is more complicated than you might think. Everything has to be very official, and it is important you have an attorney who will ensure the language is clear so that your wishes can be honored after your death. Making a will is very important so that the worldly possessions you leave behind can go to the people you love, rather than to the government. We can help you construct your will, and we can ensure that it is notarized and officially ready to be used when it becomes necessary.

In some circumstances, the interpretation of the language of a will may necessitate the reformation of one or more aspects of the document to better represent the intentions of the testator, including the following instances:

  • The language is not clear enough to determine beneficiaries
  • It can be demonstrated the testator intended otherwise
  • There was an omission to the document itself

Our Chicago legal team can construct a will with careful precision, or interpret and reform a previously constructed will in order to best reflect your loved one’s wishes. Choose an attorney who will help you through this difficult process with professionalism and a thorough understanding of the experience you are going through.

Consult with a Will Construction, Interpretation, and Reformation Attorney in Chicago

At Peck Ritchey, LLC, our Chicago will construction, interpretation, and reformation attorneys are committed to helping testators and their families fully preserve their final intentions. To discuss how one of our Chicago probate attorneys can best address any questions or concerns that you might have, please call our Chicago offices at (855) 328-5787 today.

Testimonials>

Tim and his staff was very helpful with my estate planning. I appreciated his thorough nature. I would recommend Peck Ritchey to others looking for estate planning.

–M.S.

My experience was flawless and very professional. Would highly recommend.

–-N.S.

I worked with Jesse Footlik and he was great! He was so easy to work with, explained our options clearly, and had true heart for the matter. I could tell he cares about the people he works with, and searches for solutions that will fit best with their circumstances.

–L.K.

Tim and his team exude professionalism, timeliness, and have a unique dedication to client needs. It is a pleasure working with them. For estate planning, succession planning, or just a general factfinding conversation about what they may be able to do for you, there is no one better in the area.

–S.H.

Kerry Peck with Kyle Fahey did outstanding work helping settle a difficult, complicated, contentious and sensitive personal matter. They were available by phone, email and text at all times during the day, night and weekend to quickly resolve the matter with the best outcome possible for their client. Thank you!

–S.S.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this firm. The professionalism, knowledge, skills, attention to details, and constant updates were above my expectations. And the bonus was having a better outcome than I could have imagined. Jesse & Nick managed an emotional and difficult situation with care and respect. They are a top-notch team with excellent customer service and have very fair and reasonable prices. I would not hesitate to use this firm for any of your needs.

–Debbie M.

Peck Ritchey did an excellent job of resolving a very difficult estate matter.

–Scott S., Barrington Hills, IL

Thank you so much for your consistent attention to our case this past year. We were fairly small potatoes, yet you actually ‘got back’ and stayed on it. There were times when the government seemed to drop the ball more than my little league outfield, but my attorney was there. I realize that you actually went beyond the scope; I truly do appreciate your work.

–Kirt G., Chicago, IL

My family is so grateful for the positive outcome in my mother’s guardianship trial that had divided our family. Tim Ritchey and the Peck Ritchey team were very professional and thorough in stepping up in an emergency situation and preparing for trial. Peck Ritchey provided us with the peace of mind that my mother will be cared for throughout the rest of her life.

–Kevin G. Chicago, IL

Peck Ritchey both represents us defending our funding decisions, but also represents the best in leadership and support for issues that can change the quality of life of older persons. We are grateful that we are represented by a group of thoughtful and skilled experts on the law, and great colleagues in making the law work for our older clientele.

–Jon L., Oak Park, IL

I was Legal Guardian and Executor for mother who had passed away 12 years ago. There were two wills. One my mom wrote and another an aunt forced her to change while she had dementia. My former attorney advised me to pay the surety bond for all these years. He lost the original will and the file and closed down his office. My brother who was on SSI was still living in my mother’s apartment, and the estate was left to my mother’s four children. One sister wanted us to buy her out. She was impossible. Peck Ritchey worked with sister’s attorney, helped my brother and closed the estate with all its complications in a few months. We were all concerned that this would turn into a legal mess but they were true professionals, kind, caring and answered all our questions. This the law firm you want on your side. I highly recommend them regarding estates, legal guardianships and drawing up wills.

–Ellie W., Chicago, IL
Accolades to Peck Ritchey (in particular, Ron Webb), for handling our estate issues professionally and expediently. We connected after attending a very informative presentation on estate planning, offered to retired educators. Everything was explained thoroughly, encouraging us to seek Ron Webb’s assistance and expertise. Thank you for a valuable experience and for giving us peace of mind for the future.
–Myrna B., Palos Heights, IL

Peck Ritchey was there with great advice when my family most needed it the most. They got my daughter’s guardianship done on time, and referred us to an expert social worker so we could get her cases through the complicated government systems. The social worker found that the trust put together by others were not in order. Peck Ritchey made new trust documents or amended existing trusts as needed and improved other existing documents. What I appreciate most is they explained it in plain English so I could understand what had to be and what has been done. I am grateful for everything they did and how they did it!

–Victor O., Chicago, IL

Very professional handling of my mother’s estate. Ron was there every step of the way and so were his paralegals I might add – from coming to Rush University when my mom was too sick to come to the office, and taking my phone calls, and always answering my questions, I can’t thank him enough! I am truly grateful for the wonderful experience with Peck Ritchey especially since it is already stressful enough when a loved one is ill. Thank you so much! We will be using your firm for our own estate planning in the very near future, I would definitely recommend Peck Ritchey.

–Brenda S., Crystal Lake, IL

Thank you so much for all of your work and time you spent in facilitating the purchase of our first home. I know we provided you with a short deadline and we appreciate both of you making it happen. The Escrow Officer commented on how seamless everything was for our close. We are extremely grateful for all of your effort. Thank you again!

–Steve T and Anna C

Kerry Peck and Jesse Footlik represented me in an extremely complex and litigious trust dispute involving numerous parties. After several years of litigation, the case was settled with a very successful outcome.

Kerry and his team of diligent attorneys help develop creative and detailed strategies that proved to be an excellent solution and produced the results I was hoping to achieve. During the duration of the lawsuit, communication with the attorneys was timely and thorough. Their passion and attention to detail was genuine and unwavering during the entire ordeal. I was very fortunate to have the Peck Ritchey team for representation and it was a great experience working with them. Knowing that the stakes were extremely high in the trust dispute Peck Ritchey, LLC was the right firm to handle a litigious case of this magnitude.

–Harvey C, Chicago

If you want a great experience with your estate planning needs, then you owe it to yourself to visit with Ron Webb at Peck Ritchey.

He explained all the intricacies of optimizing our estate planning needs in a knowledgeable and very friendly manner. It was truly a pleasure working with him and the staff at Peck Ritchey. We highly recommend their services.

–Larry and Judy F., Crystal Lake, IL

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Kerry Peck and Jesse Footlik for the professional and courteous manner in which Peck Richtey have assisted us during the past couple years. You will never know how much it meant to us.

–Kathy S from Champaign

I was referred to Peck Ritchey by a former judge after he heard the problems I was having in my case with my first attorney. Kerry Peck and Tim Ritchey are experienced and professional litigators who helped turn my case around for me. I wish I would have gone to them first. They helped me in a contested will and trust matter and were exceptional. I would recommend them highly for any estate, will, or trust matter!

–J.F., Chicago

We were extremely impressed with Peck Ritchey’s representation of us in complex litigation involving contested deeds, powers of attorney, and hundreds of acres of family farmland. Kerry Peck and Jesse Footlik were steadfast in their commitment to winning our case, which ultimately resulted in a tremendous settlement for us. Although our case was located in “downstate” Illinois, Kerry and Jesse’s timely and thorough communication made us feel like their office was right next door. We could not be more pleased with their services and the outcome of our case.

–K.S and K.S., Edgar County, IL

When my Mom passed, I discovered that a family member had changed Mom’s will after she had dementia. For almost two years, I worked closely with Tim Ritchey and Kyle Fahey. They presented such a compelling case and clearly had no fear of taking it to trial, that the opposing counsel caved on the day of trial. With his outstanding negotiating skills, Tim was able to balance just the right amount of pressure, patience, and professionalism to give us a substantial advantage at the settlement table. In addition to the huge settlement we won, I am so grateful to Kyle and Tim for their thoughtful, compassionate and dedicated approach to such a sad family conflict.

–S.W.

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