A simple will. A healthcare directive. A relationship with a law firm you can count on.

For a lot of people, estate planning is something they know they should do but keep putting off.

Maybe you think you don’t have enough assets to need an estate plan. Maybe you’re not sure what documents you need. Or maybe the whole process just sounds expensive, uncomfortable, and complicated.

It doesn’t have to be.

At Giamanco Law Partners, we believe getting started with estate planning should feel manageable.

Our Essential Estate Planning Package is designed to help people with straightforward planning needs take two important steps: preparing a simple will and establishing healthcare directives appropriate for their circumstances.

It’s a practical place to begin—and an opportunity to get to know attorneys who can help as your needs change.

What Is Included in the Essential Estate Planning Package?

A Simple Will

A will allows you to express important decisions about what should happen to property governed by your will after your death.

Depending on your circumstances, a will can help you:

• Identify who should inherit your property.
• Name an executor to administer your estate.
• Nominate a guardian for minor children.
• Provide instructions for distributing assets.
• Reduce uncertainty about your intentions.

A will does not necessarily avoid probate, and it does not control every asset you own. But for many people, it is an important foundation for estate planning.

Healthcare Directives

What happens if you’re seriously injured or become unable to communicate your medical decisions?

Healthcare planning documents allow you to address that possibility before an emergency occurs.

In Illinois, a healthcare power of attorney allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions when authorized under the document and applicable law. Other advance directives, including living wills, address particular treatment preferences or circumstances.

An attorney can help you understand which documents are appropriate and how they work together.

The goal is to make your wishes clearer and help the people you trust make difficult decisions with greater confidence.

Who Is This Package For?

The Essential Estate Planning Package may be a good starting point for:

• Young adults preparing their first estate planning documents.
• Newly married couples.
• Parents who want to address guardianship for their children.
• Individuals with relatively straightforward assets and family circumstances.
• People who have postponed estate planning because they don’t know where to begin.

Not everyone will be a good fit for a simple package.

Some circumstances call for additional planning, such as blended families, complex property ownership, special-needs beneficiaries, business interests, or significant tax concerns.

We’ll help you understand whether a straightforward plan is appropriate or whether your circumstances deserve a more comprehensive approach.

What Is the Process Like?

1. Tell Us About Your Situation

We’ll ask about your family, your property, your priorities, and the decisions you want to make.

You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what documents you need.

2. We’ll Prepare Your Documents

If the package is appropriate, we’ll explain your options and prepare a simple will and healthcare planning documents that reflect your decisions.

You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and understand what you’re signing.

3. Put Your Plan in Place

We’ll guide you through the applicable signing requirements and explain how to maintain and review your documents.

You’ll leave with a better understanding of your plan and when it might need to change.

Estate Planning Isn’t Just for Wealthy People.

You don’t need a large investment portfolio, multiple properties, or complicated finances to benefit from making important decisions in advance.

Estate planning is also about choosing people you trust, communicating your wishes, and reducing uncertainty for your family.

A relatively simple plan today may provide an important foundation for the future.

Your Life Will Change. Your Estate Plan Can Change With It.

Perhaps today you need only a simple will and healthcare directives.

Five years from now, you might own a business, purchase a second home, have children, or begin thinking about retirement.

Those changes can create new planning opportunities and responsibilities.

Our goal isn’t simply to prepare documents and send you on your way.

We want Giamanco Law Partners to be the firm you feel comfortable calling when life changes and new legal questions arise.

Good legal relationships are built on trust, clear communication, and the confidence that someone understands your circumstances.

We’d welcome the opportunity to begin that relationship with you.

Ready to Get Started?

Estate planning doesn’t have to be intimidating, and you don’t have to figure everything out before talking to an attorney.

Contact Giamanco Law Partners to learn about our Essential Estate Planning Package and whether it is appropriate for your needs.

Start with a simple plan. Build a relationship you can rely on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Simple Wills and Healthcare Directives

Do I need a will if I don’t have much money?

A will may still be useful. It can address property distribution, the appointment of an executor, and nominations of guardians for minor children. The value of a will isn’t determined solely by the size of your estate.

Is a simple will enough for everyone?

No. A simple will may be appropriate for straightforward circumstances, but trusts, additional powers of attorney, tax planning, or other arrangements may be needed depending on your situation.

Does having a will mean my family can avoid probate?

Not necessarily. A will provides instructions for estate administration but does not automatically avoid probate. Whether probate is required depends on the assets, their ownership, applicable law, and other factors.

What is the difference between a healthcare power of attorney and a living will?

A healthcare power of attorney generally appoints someone to make healthcare decisions under the document’s terms. An Illinois living will expresses certain treatment preferences in specified end-of-life circumstances. The documents are not interchangeable.

Can I change my will later?

Generally, yes, while you have the required legal capacity and follow the applicable legal requirements. Significant life changes are good reasons to review your documents.

Is this package appropriate for married couples?

It may be. Each spouse’s circumstances and wishes need to be considered, and potential conflicts of interest must be addressed. The firm can explain whether the package fits and what documents each person needs.

What if I need a trust or more advanced estate planning later?

Your plan can be reviewed as your circumstances change. Giamanco Law Partners can help evaluate whether additional documents or a more comprehensive estate planning strategy would be appropriate.