Chicago, IL estate planning & probate attorneys John N. Bielski II and SJ Chapman discuss the types of cases they handle, the level of service they provide, and how they charge for their service. They explain that Bielski Chapman L.T.D. practices in several areas of law, including probate and guardianship, real estate, estate planning, and general business transactional and litigation law. In the realm of probate and guardianship, the firm is one of the larger practices in Illinois in terms of case volume, handling matters in nearly every county across the state and maintaining cases throughout the United States.

When serving clients, the firm prioritizes a “White Glove” approach, providing VIP-level service to every client. They recognize that clients come from diverse backgrounds, varying levels of wealth, and different walks of life, and they ensure that each client is treated with the highest level of attention and care.

Most cases handled by the firm are flat-fee or fixed-fee arrangements, providing clients with clarity on costs from the outset. In situations where a flat fee is not practical, the firm meets with clients to explain hourly rates and provide a proposed budget. The goal is to ensure clients fully understand the fees and billing structure throughout the engagement.

For example, guardianship cases are typically billed at a statutory hourly rate, which cannot be offered as a fixed fee. Similarly, more complex estate planning matters, particularly those involving intricate tax planning or unique circumstances, may also be billed hourly. In every instance, the firm strives to establish a budget so clients are informed of anticipated costs from the beginning to the completion of the engagement.