Beverly · Chicago · Since 1983

Chicago, IL Estate Planning Attorney You Can Trust

At the Paul L. Williams Law Office, we believe every family deserves access to quality legal planning, not just those with million-dollar estates. As a Chicago estate planning attorney with a background as a former Illinois State Representative and over 40 years of legal practice, Paul L. Williams brings downtown expertise to the Beverly neighborhood. Our mission is simple: help families pass on what they have built, minimize tension, and stay out of probate court entirely.
Affordability
♦
Trustworthiness
♦
Extensive Legal Experience
♦
Affordability
♦
Trustworthiness
♦
Extensive Legal Experience
♦
Affordability
♦
Trustworthiness
♦
Extensive Legal Experience
♦
Affordability
♦
Trustworthiness
♦
Extensive Legal Experience
♦
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Our Approach
PREVENTIVE PLANNING THAT KEEPS FAMILIES OUT OF COURT
Probate court is expensive, time-consuming, and public. It can turn family members against one another over assets that should have passed cleanly from one generation to the next. At the Paul L. Williams Law Office, we treat probate as a failure of planning, not an inevitable outcome. Our work as a trusted Chicago lawyer focuses on getting the documents right the first time, so your family never has to set foot in a courtroom after you are gone. If we do our job correctly, you will never need probate court. That is not a promise we make lightly; it is the standard we hold ourselves to every single day.
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40+

YEARS OF LEGAL PRACTICE

About Paul L. Williams
A Lifetime of Service, Now Focused on Your Family
Paul L. Williams has been a practicing attorney since 1983. He served as an Illinois State Representative beginning in 1986 and spent 20 years as Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. His lobbying firm, Third Reading Consultants, represented major institutional clients including Northern Trust Bank and MasterCard. Today, Paul channels that same precision and legislative insight into protecting what matters most to Beverly families: their homes, their assets, and their legacies. He is a State of Illinois Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and a recognized pillar of the South Side Chicago community.
Why Choose Us
What Sets the Paul L. Williams Law Office Apart
There are plenty of law firms in Chicago. What makes Paul L. Williams different is a genuine commitment to putting your family's best interests first, every time. From affordable pricing to personalized attention, here is what you can expect when you work with us.
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Over 75 years of combined legal experience
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Affordable rates starting at $400 for simple wills
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Former Illinois State Representative with deep legislative knowledge
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State of Illinois Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
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Rooted in the Beverly neighborhood and South Side Chicago community
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Free virtual consultations available for new clients
How We Help
Practical Legal Solutions for Every Stage of Life
Whether you are putting together your first will or navigating a property transfer for a family member, the Paul L. Williams Law Office has the experience and the commitment to guide you through it with clarity and care.
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Estate Planning
We help Chicago families build estate plans that reflect their real goals, protect their most important assets, and keep their loved ones out of probate court. Affordable, honest, and thorough.
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Wills & Trusts
From a straightforward simple will to a more involved trust structure, we prepare documents that are legally sound and written to reflect exactly what you want for your family and your estate.
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Real Estate Transactions
Legal representation for property transactions and title transfers in Chicago and Cook County. We make sure your real estate matters are handled correctly from start to finish.
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Notary Services
Reliable notary services at our Beverly, Chicago office. We certify and witness documents quickly and professionally so you can move forward with confidence.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Your Estate Planning Questions, Answered

  • What is a Transfer on Death Instrument, and how is it different from a will?

    A Transfer on Death Instrument, sometimes called a "Tony," is a legal document that lets you name who will receive your property after you pass away without going through probate court. A will, by contrast, must go through the probate process, which can be costly and time-consuming. A Tony transfers property directly to your named beneficiary, keeping the process private and out of court. For many middle-income families in Chicago whose primary asset is their home, a Tony can accomplish the same goal as a trust at a much lower cost.

  • How much does it cost to get a will or estate plan prepared at this firm?

    Simple wills start at $400, making them accessible for families who want to protect their assets without paying downtown firm rates. More complex trust arrangements range from $3,500 up to $5,000 depending on your situation. Paul Williams is committed to recommending only what you actually need, so you will never be pushed toward a more expensive option if a simpler document gets the job done. During your consultation, he will walk through your goals and suggest the most cost-effective path forward.

  • What happens to my family home if I die without a will in Illinois?

    If you die without a will or other legal instrument in Illinois, your estate, including your family home, will likely go through probate court. This is a public legal process where the state determines how your assets are distributed. It can take months or even years, cost thousands of dollars in court and attorney fees, and create serious tension among family members who may disagree about the outcome. Paul L. Williams built his practice around helping Chicago families avoid exactly this situation through proper preventative planning.

  • Does the firm handle probate cases, or is the focus on avoiding probate entirely?

    The Paul L. Williams Law Office focuses on preventative estate planning rather than probate litigation. Paul's approach is that if the legal work is done correctly upfront, a family should never need to go through probate court at all. His goal with every client is to create clear, legally sound documents that transfer assets directly to beneficiaries without court involvement. If you are looking for help avoiding probate rather than navigating it after the fact, this firm is built for exactly that purpose.

  • Can I meet with Paul Williams virtually, or do I need to visit the office in person?

    Free virtual consultations are available for new clients, making it easy to get started from anywhere in Chicago or Cook County. In-person appointments at the Beverly office are also available. Regular office hours run Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with Saturday and after-hours appointments available by arrangement. The goal is to make the process as accessible as possible for busy families who may not be able to come in during standard business hours.

  • Is Paul L. Williams Law Office a certified minority-owned business?

    Yes. Paul L. Williams Law Office is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the State of Illinois. This certification reflects the firm's identity as a community-rooted practice serving diverse demographics across Chicago and Cook County. It also makes the firm a strong fit for clients and organizations that prioritize working with certified MBE providers for legal and consulting services.

  • Which areas does Paul L. Williams Law Office serve?

    The firm is based in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago and primarily serves families throughout Chicago and Cook County. Paul has deep roots in the South Side community and has built relationships with over 33 local churches and 34 community organizations in the area. Secondary service areas include Springfield and Greater Illinois, particularly for governmental affairs and legislative consulting work. If you are unsure whether your location falls within the service area, a free virtual consultation is a good first step.

  • Why choose Paul L. Williams over a larger downtown Chicago law firm?

    Paul L. Williams brings the same level of legal expertise as larger firms, backed by over 40 years of experience, a career as an Illinois State Representative, and a history of representing major institutional clients. The difference is that he made a deliberate choice to serve middle-income families at affordable rates rather than maximize billing. He takes time to listen, recommends only what you actually need, and treats every client's legacy with genuine care. For families in Beverly and across the South Side, that combination of credibility and accessibility is rare.
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