Lawyers Near MeIllinoisCook CountyLa GrangeWest 55th Street
1023 W 55th St #200, La Grange, IL 60525, USA
With all of the good reviews, I really believed I would be in safe hands during the Medicaid application process for my mother who recently entered a nursing home. In my consult, which cost almost $600, I explained that we qualify to use both the caregiver and disability exemptions. Ms Bennet did not know about the disability exemption, and suggested I use the caregiver one because it would allow the house to be retained. I explained that my understanding of the disability exemption was that it would allow the retention of all assets to remain in the family. She disagreed and stated she prefers the caregiver because she knows how to prove that one. I told her in the consult not to begin work till she verified if I was correct or not, which I absolutely was. Three weeks later I received a statement showing that she had used up my retainer on unnecessary spend down related tasks, and several hours toward the nursing home contract to which she provided two or three lines of advice in an email. When I questioned her bill via email asking to speak about it. She replied saying she would give me two hours of future credit. I questioned her again by dropping off a copy of the bill with notes since she did not give me the courtesy of a phone conversation and I wanted to point out the things in the bill that I felt were not fair. Her response was to quit by email, saying I should not continue questioning her bill, and also was angry because I uploaded “over 500 documents” to her portal… She made a remark about the documents once before, and I didn’t really understand why because she instructed me to upload five years worth of financial records along with many other documents, so I did it right away the first week. It was like she couldn’t handle going through them, or was frustrated by them. Mind you this is three weeks into our contract. She didn’t give me any recourse, she just stated that I should find another attorney and that this firm will no longer represent me. Of course by email, not even a discussion. She did not seem to have much of a conscience about it, and I doubt she lost any sleep over taking my elderly mother’s money from her. And the sad thing about it is not only are we out the money we paid her, we also then had to spend almost two more months finding a new attorney because it takes a while to get a consult scheduled… And every month we fell behind was another $10,000 spent at the nursing home that could’ve been avoided. And of course a whole new retainer with someone else. It was a really cruel and unnecessary thing for her to do this to us. I have no idea if the senior Partners are aware that she did this or not. But it definitely was not right, and I have no idea why she thought we deserved that. I would think twice before using this firm, especially if you have something that the attorney says she does not know about… in my case the disability exemption which is right on the Medicaid website for anyone to read. To have disregarded this information would’ve caused our family to lose significant assets if not used. It was unconscionable and lazy of her to not look into this especially since I spent a good chunk of time making sure that she would during our expensive consult. And If I can read and understand these rules explained right on the Medicaid website, why didn’t this “expert” not know about it or bother to learn, And why was she so willing to ignore her responsibility to look into it, knowing that if she had submitted my application the way she was heading, we would have suffered a significant financial loss. My advice is to careful trusting this firm with your family’s precious resources. UPDATE: In January of 2025, Mr Wilson contacted me and is working to make this right, at least as best he can at this point. He has also personally come to my mother’s nursing home to apologize in person to her for the misuse of her funds, and the treatment we received from Ms Bennett. He also has re-educated her in both knowledge and how he wants clients treated.
Navigating the complexities of estate planning and elder law requires not only deep legal knowledge but also a compassionate and client-focused approach. For residents across Illinois, particularly those in La Grange and surrounding communities, finding a law firm that truly understands the sensitive nature of these matters is paramount. Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC is a firm dedicated to assisting individuals and families with critical decisions concerning their future, assets, and the well-being of their loved ones.
This firm specializes in providing clear, engaging, and informative legal guidance in the intricate fields of estate planning and elder law. As evidenced by a recent client update, the firm, particularly Mr. Wilson, is committed to addressing client concerns and upholding high standards of client treatment and professional knowledge. While a prior review highlighted a challenging experience with a specific associate, the subsequent actions taken by Mr. Wilson demonstrate a proactive effort to rectify issues and re-educate staff, ensuring that clients receive the expert and respectful service they deserve. The firm aims to be a trusted resource, providing factual advice and working diligently to achieve positive outcomes for families dealing with sensitive legal issues related to aging, asset protection, and long-term care.
The accessibility of a law firm is a significant factor for individuals seeking assistance with sensitive matters like estate planning and elder law. Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC is conveniently located in La Grange, Illinois, offering excellent accessibility for residents throughout the western suburbs of Chicago and beyond. You can find their office at 1023 W 55th St #200, La Grange, IL 60525, USA.
This address places the firm within a well-established and easily reachable area of La Grange. For those traveling by car, W 55th Street provides good connectivity to major local roads and thoroughfares, facilitating a smooth commute from various surrounding neighborhoods and towns in La Grange, and nearby communities within Cook and DuPage Counties. Office complexes typically offer convenient parking options, which adds to the ease of visiting and helps reduce any added stress when attending appointments, particularly important for elder law clients or their caregivers.
Furthermore, La Grange is well-served by public transportation. While specific routes would need to be checked with local transit authorities like Pace bus services, the office's location is generally within reasonable proximity to public transport stops, offering convenient connections for those who rely on public transit. This commitment to accessibility ensures that clients can easily schedule and attend consultations without significant travel hurdles, allowing them to focus on their important legal needs. The strategic placement of Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC reflects their dedication to providing seamless and efficient service to the local Illinois community, making expert legal assistance readily available.
Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC specializes in critical legal areas designed to protect individuals, their families, and their assets as they plan for the future or navigate the complexities of aging. Based on their name and the detailed client review, their core services include:
Estate Planning: This encompasses the creation of essential documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney (for healthcare and finances), and other instruments to ensure assets are protected, wishes are honored, and loved ones are provided for, minimizing probate and tax burdens.
Elder Law: A comprehensive area of law that addresses the unique needs of seniors and their families. This includes advising on long-term care planning, guardianship, elder abuse prevention, and navigating legal issues related to aging.
Medicaid Planning and Application Assistance: As explicitly highlighted in the review, a key service is assisting clients with qualifying for and applying for Medicaid benefits to cover nursing home costs. This involves strategic asset protection and navigating complex eligibility rules, including potential use of exemptions like caregiver and disability exemptions.
Nursing Home Contract Review: Providing legal advice and review of nursing home admission contracts to ensure clients understand terms, identify potential issues, and protect their rights and financial interests.
Asset Protection: Strategies to safeguard assets from long-term care costs, taxes, and other potential liabilities, ensuring they remain available for family and future generations.
Probate and Trust Administration: Guiding executors, trustees, and beneficiaries through the legal process of administering an estate or trust after an individual's passing, ensuring proper distribution of assets.
Legal Consultation and Strategy: Offering initial assessments and ongoing advice on specific legal issues within estate planning and elder law, helping clients understand their options and chart the best course of action.
The firm's focus on these areas indicates a commitment to assisting Illinois families with some of their most significant and sensitive legal decisions.
Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC presents a unique set of features and highlights that distinguish their practice for Illinois residents, particularly as evidenced by direct client feedback and the firm's responsive actions:
Specialized Expertise in Elder Law and Estate Planning: The firm's name explicitly denotes its core focus. This specialization means clients are seeking counsel from a practice deeply knowledgeable in these complex, often sensitive areas, including nuances of Medicaid planning and asset protection.
Commitment to Rectifying Client Issues: A significant highlight is the firm's proactive response to client dissatisfaction. Mr. Wilson's direct contact, personal apology to the elderly mother, and efforts to "make this right" demonstrate a strong commitment to client satisfaction and accountability at the leadership level. This willingness to address problems head-on is a crucial indicator of integrity.
Emphasis on Staff Education and Client Treatment: Mr. Wilson's re-education of staff in "both knowledge and how he wants clients treated" signifies a dedication to continuous improvement and ensuring all team members adhere to the firm's high standards of professionalism and client care.
Proactive Knowledge Acquisition: The firm's subsequent action to address the prior lack of knowledge regarding the "disability exemption" for Medicaid indicates a responsive and responsible approach to ensuring their expertise remains current and comprehensive, directly benefiting future clients.
Goal-Oriented and Supportive: Another review stating "Great attorneys and team helped my family. Keep up the excellent job!" underscores the firm's ability to deliver positive assistance and support to clients, reinforcing a generally positive overall experience.
Local Illinois Presence: Being situated in La Grange, IL, provides a strong local understanding of regional laws, court procedures, and community resources, which is invaluable for residents navigating elder law and estate planning in Illinois.
Dedicated Team Approach: The mention of "great attorneys and team" suggests a collaborative environment where multiple professionals work together to provide comprehensive support to clients.
These highlights collectively paint a picture of a law firm that, while acknowledging and addressing past issues, is fundamentally committed to expertise, ethical practice, and providing a supportive, knowledgeable, and continuously improving service to its Illinois clientele, particularly in the vital fields of elder law and estate planning.
In the professional legal field, it is generally uncommon for law firms like Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC to offer traditional "promotions" or "special offers" in the same way a retail business might. Legal services are highly personalized, and fees are typically structured based on the complexity of the case, the time and expertise required, and the specific services rendered.
However, prospective clients in Illinois considering Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC can expect certain valuable practices that are standard within reputable legal services, particularly those specializing in sensitive areas like elder law:
Initial Consultation: Many law firms, including likely Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC, offer an initial consultation. While the provided review indicates a cost for a consult, it is a standard practice across the industry to have an introductory meeting. This serves as a crucial opportunity for prospective clients to discuss their legal matter, assess whether the firm is the right fit for their needs, and gain a preliminary understanding of potential legal strategies and associated costs before committing to full representation. It is always advisable to inquire about their current consultation fee policy when contacting the firm.
Transparent Fee Structure: A significant benefit, which the firm has shown a commitment to addressing as per the client update, is a clear and upfront discussion about how legal fees will be calculated. Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC would aim to openly discuss and explain their billing practices. This could involve hourly rates, flat fees for specific services (common in estate planning and some Medicaid application processes), or other arrangements depending on the legal area and case complexity. Transparency helps clients understand the financial aspects of their legal journey and avoid unexpected costs.
Commitment to Value and Correction: As demonstrated by Mr. Wilson's intervention, the firm actively works to ensure clients receive value for their investment and addresses concerns about billing or service quality. This commitment to client satisfaction and rectification of issues, while not a discount, is a profound "offer" of accountability and ethical practice that benefits clients significantly in the long run.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their fee policies, initial consultation arrangements, or any specific offerings, it is highly recommended to directly contact Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC using the provided contact information. Their team can provide personalized details relevant to your unique legal inquiry.
If you are an Illinois resident in need of specialized estate planning or elder law assistance, reaching out to Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC is straightforward and convenient. Here are their contact details:
Address: 1023 W 55th St #200, La Grange, IL 60525, USA
Phone: (708) 482-7090
Mobile Phone: +1 708-482-7090
When you contact the office, it is advisable to have a brief overview of your legal matter prepared, particularly if it relates to Medicaid applications, nursing home planning, or estate needs. This will enable their team to efficiently understand your needs and direct you to the most appropriate assistance or schedule a suitable consultation. The provision of both a landline and a mobile number underscores their commitment to accessibility, aiming to ensure you can connect with their team for timely guidance and support when you need it most.
For residents across Illinois, particularly those in La Grange and its neighboring communities, Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC stands as a highly suitable and dedicated choice for their complex elder law and estate planning needs. The firm's suitability for locals is deeply rooted in its specialized focus, accessible location, and critically, its demonstrated commitment to client satisfaction and continuous improvement, as highlighted by recent client interactions.
Firstly, their strategic location at 1023 W 55th St #200 in La Grange offers prime accessibility. This convenient address ensures that clients can easily reach the office for consultations, whether driving from nearby towns or utilizing local public transportation. Being locally situated means the firm is not just a legal entity but an integral part of the community, possessing an inherent understanding of Illinois state laws, local regulations pertinent to elder care, and the specific needs of families in the area. This local insight is crucial when navigating the often highly specific requirements of Medicaid applications and estate administration.
More significantly, while an initial client experience revealed challenges, the subsequent actions taken by Mr. Wilson—personally contacting the client, apologizing, and re-educating staff on both knowledge and client treatment—speak volumes about the firm's dedication to ethical practice and client welfare. This demonstrated commitment to accountability and making things right is a profound reason for locals to trust this firm. It shows that even when issues arise, the leadership is committed to rectifying them and upholding high standards of service and knowledge, including proactive learning about crucial exemptions like the Medicaid disability exemption.
For families dealing with the sensitive and financially significant decisions surrounding aging loved ones, nursing home care, or estate planning, having a legal partner who specializes in these areas and is deeply committed to both expertise and client care is paramount. Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law LLC, with its focused legal services and demonstrated commitment to addressing client concerns, proves to be a reliable and evolving resource for Illinois residents seeking professional and supportive legal guidance in these vital fields.
1023 W 55th St #200, La Grange, IL 60525, USA
Get directionsWith all of the good reviews, I really believed I would be in safe hands during the Medicaid application process for my mother who recently entered a nursing home. In my consult, which cost almost $600, I explained that we qualify to use both the caregiver and disability exemptions. Ms Bennet did not know about the disability exemption, and suggested I use the caregiver one because it would allow the house to be retained. I explained that my understanding of the disability exemption was that it would allow the retention of all assets to remain in the family. She disagreed and stated she prefers the caregiver because she knows how to prove that one. I told her in the consult not to begin work till she verified if I was correct or not, which I absolutely was. Three weeks later I received a statement showing that she had used up my retainer on unnecessary spend down related tasks, and several hours toward the nursing home contract to which she provided two or three lines of advice in an email. When I questioned her bill via email asking to speak about it. She replied saying she would give me two hours of future credit. I questioned her again by dropping off a copy of the bill with notes since she did not give me the courtesy of a phone conversation and I wanted to point out the things in the bill that I felt were not fair. Her response was to quit by email, saying I should not continue questioning her bill, and also was angry because I uploaded “over 500 documents” to her portal… She made a remark about the documents once before, and I didn’t really understand why because she instructed me to upload five years worth of financial records along with many other documents, so I did it right away the first week. It was like she couldn’t handle going through them, or was frustrated by them. Mind you this is three weeks into our contract. She didn’t give me any recourse, she just stated that I should find another attorney and that this firm will no longer represent me. Of course by email, not even a discussion. She did not seem to have much of a conscience about it, and I doubt she lost any sleep over taking my elderly mother’s money from her. And the sad thing about it is not only are we out the money we paid her, we also then had to spend almost two more months finding a new attorney because it takes a while to get a consult scheduled… And every month we fell behind was another $10,000 spent at the nursing home that could’ve been avoided. And of course a whole new retainer with someone else. It was a really cruel and unnecessary thing for her to do this to us. I have no idea if the senior Partners are aware that she did this or not. But it definitely was not right, and I have no idea why she thought we deserved that. I would think twice before using this firm, especially if you have something that the attorney says she does not know about… in my case the disability exemption which is right on the Medicaid website for anyone to read. To have disregarded this information would’ve caused our family to lose significant assets if not used. It was unconscionable and lazy of her to not look into this especially since I spent a good chunk of time making sure that she would during our expensive consult. And If I can read and understand these rules explained right on the Medicaid website, why didn’t this “expert” not know about it or bother to learn, And why was she so willing to ignore her responsibility to look into it, knowing that if she had submitted my application the way she was heading, we would have suffered a significant financial loss. My advice is to careful trusting this firm with your family’s precious resources. UPDATE: In January of 2025, Mr Wilson contacted me and is working to make this right, at least as best he can at this point. He has also personally come to my mother’s nursing home to apologize in person to her for the misuse of her funds, and the treatment we received from Ms Bennett. He also has re-educated her in both knowledge and how he wants clients treated.
Feb 21, 2025 · DebGreat attorneys and team helped my family. Keep up the excellent job!
Apr 06, 2025 · Lawrence PettroneWilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law, LLC helped me navigate a very tumultuous time in my life. Sandra and her team were so gentle with me and the processes that needed to take place for a timely distribution. They worked tirelessly to ensure I was supported throughout the process. Although no one is actually prepared for the death of their loved one Sandra made going through it less painful. I’m forever grateful to her and the team at Wilson & Wilson!
May 26, 2022 · Heather Marie WinklerHorrible!!! I used this firm based on reviews here. My mother's will coudldn't be used allegedly because she wrote on it later but it was clear and concise outlining her wishes. I had a total of 3 lawyers during the 2 year probate working with them and in which none communicated efficiently with me. I had to always reach out to them and each time I did even via email with a question, a bill was generated. After paying well over $5000 as well as a hefty retainer fee, they are still seeking more money from me. The bill was paid the entire time even when I wasn't employed and still grieving my mothers death. I understand it's a "business" but this has been a complete nightmare. Please do more extensive research prior to choosing a firm and ensure that everything is in order so you don't experience what I have and am still experiencing. The process shouldn't be a complex one, especially for families dealing with a loss.
Oct 19, 2022 · Carla DioumeGOD has blessed me with alot but by people's standards maybe not that much; however Attorney Sandra Schildgen made me feel like a Billionaire! It is also noteworthy that from the front office and assistant personnel gave that feeling "we are family". I look forward in continuing our relationship in the future. GIVE Wilson & Wilson your business.
Mar 24, 2021 · Charles Williams lll
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