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 (312) 201-0900 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 (312) 201-0900 today.

Testimonials

Attorney Kyle Fahey handled our matter with skill and professionalism, and was always responsive. 10/10, would work with him and the firm again.

–Jon T.

The peace of mind that Peck Ricthey's office has given me is worth every penny. The services they provided me and my family in an emergency medical situation is beyond outstanding. Last minute notice, Peter Brady and team were compassionate, understanding and most importantly efficient and got the job done. Look no further if you have any needs that this office can provide for you. Definitely in good hands! Thank you, a thousand times over for all of your help.

–Christine K.

Very responsive and knowledgeable at handling our brother’s estate. Would definitely recommend!

–Ralph C.

I solicited Peck Ritchey, LLC for assistance with a living trust for which I became the beneficiary. I needed assistance with understanding the details of how it all worked. However, I was especially concerned because there were threats of allegations made by family members and a lawsuit was filed against me. I needed a solid professional who had my best interests in mind. Peter Brady took my case and he managed it flawlessly. He explained everything in a way I could understand, he knew the law inside and out, he was always available to answer questions, and even offer support when things seemed like they could become extremely problematic. In addition to this, he had a plan. He navigated the course as if he already knew the next move by the opposing attorney. He made me feel like everything was in control and that’s because he knew exactly what he was doing and he consulted with me about everything. We ended up settling out of court and ultimately the court officially dismissed the lawsuit. I honestly believe if it wasn’t for Peter and his expertise this could have gone in an entirely different direction. Peter did a stellar job and I couldn’t be more pleased and impressed with his performance.

–John T.

Tim Ritchey is as smart, honest, and genuine as they come. He truly puts helping people above making money. If you have a need, don’t hesitate to hire him.

–Jay T.

View all