Bakos Law, LLC

05/28/2026

"We Didn't Think We Needed a Will..."

People often think estate planning is something you do when you are "really old." So many families put off estate planning not because they don’t care, but because life gets in the way.

The families who feel most at peace aren’t the ones who had the most—they’re the ones who had a plan.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to take long. It just has to get done.

💙 Let’s make it easy for you.

👉 Call Bakos Law, LLC today at (630) 259-1129 or visit our website to schedule a consultation.

05/27/2026

Honored and grateful to share that Bakos Law has been recognized as a BusinessRate Top 3 Law Firm in Wheaton for the second year in a row!

Building this firm from the ground up has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I’m incredibly thankful to every client who trusted me during some of the most important moments of their lives, and to everyone who has supported this journey along the way.

Consistency matters. Growth matters. Reputation matters. And while I’m proud of this recognition, I’m not done yet.

Next year, we’re coming for the #1 spot. 💪⚖️

Thank you to my clients, colleagues, friends, and community for continuing to believe in Bakos Law. Here’s to continuing to grow, evolve, and serve at the highest level.

05/22/2026

What Is a Power of Attorney — and Why You Need One

A Power of Attorney (POA) gives someone you trust the legal authority to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf — if you ever can't do so yourself.

Without one, your family may have to go to court just to pay your bills or make medical choices. That process is slow, expensive, and stressful.

The good news? A POA is one of the simplest estate planning documents to put in place — and it's one of the most powerful protections you can give your family.

🫶 Don't leave your loved ones without a plan.

👉 Call Bakos Law, LLC today at (630) 259-1129 or visit our website to schedule a consultation.



*This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. Consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation.

05/19/2026

Proud to secure a positive resolution for my client, a Chicago police officer, in a civil rights action involving the Chicago Police Department. Grateful for the trust my clients place in me to handle sensitive and high-stakes matters.

05/17/2026

You may already have a Durable Power of Attorney (POA for Property) — but does it cover your digital assets?

If your POA doesn’t specifically authorize access to digital accounts, your agent could be blocked from managing:
• Online banking
• Crypto
• Email
• Social media
• Payment apps
• Cloud storage

Outdated POAs can create major problems when families need help the most.

Review your POA now and make sure your digital life is protected too. Call Bakos Law at 630-259-1129 to update your POA and ensure it keeps up with today’s world.

04/23/2026

To the adult children out there-

You may be the beneficiary of your parents' estate, but do you know if they have a plan in place?

Without a will or trust, what your parents intended for you may not be what you actually receive. Illinois law, not your family, decides what happens to their assets.

This Mother's Day (or any day), give your parents the gift of a conversation. Ask them if they have an estate plan. If they don't or if it hasn't been updated in years, it's time.

A proper estate plan protects:

✅ Your parents' wishes so their legacy goes where they intended
✅ Your family from long, costly probate court proceedings
✅ You so you're not left making impossible decisions without guidance

The best time to do this is before it's needed. Don't wait for a crisis to find out there was no plan.

Contact Bakos Law today at 630-259-1129 and we'll guide your whole family through the process.

*This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. Consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation.

04/20/2026

04/06/2026

Estate Planning by the Numbers (Illinois Facts 📊)

Most people think estate planning is expensive. The real question is: compared to what?

Here are some real numbers:

📌 55% of American adults do not have a will or estate plan.

📌 Average cost of a comprehensive estate plan in Illinois:
Approximately $2,500 – $10,000 depending on complexity.

📌 Average cost of probate in Illinois without proper planning:
Often 4%–8% of the estate value.

📌 Example:
A $400,000 estate could lose $16,000 – $32,000 to probate costs alone.

📌 Many Illinois probate cases also involve:
• Attorney fees of $5,000–$12,000+
• Court costs and publication fees
• 9–14 months to complete administration

The comparison:

Estate plan: ~$3,000–$6,000
Potential probate costs without planning: $15,000–$30,000+

Planning is often a fraction of the cost of not planning.

Estate planning is not just about money. It’s about:

✔ Protecting your family
✔ Avoiding court involvement
✔ Making sure your wishes are followed
✔ Making things easier for the people you love

The real question isn’t whether you can afford estate planning.
It’s whether your family can afford for you not to have one.

Call Bakos law today for a free consultation. 630-259-1129

04/05/2026

Most families don’t realize the cost of poor estate planning until it’s too late.

I’m honored to be speaking at the 5th Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit hosted by the Justice for Wives Foundation, an organization doing important work to support and empower women in our community.

I’ll be presenting on how to avoid probate pitfalls, protect your assets, and make sure your legacy goes where you intend.

If you’re attending, I hope you’ll join my session.

📅 April 18, 2026
🕜 1:30 PM
📍 Rock Run Convention Center – Joliet

Register here:
https://www.zefy.com/en-US/ticketing/womens-empowerment-summit

03/27/2026

When you bought your home, did your real estate attorney ask how you wanted to take title with your spouse?

If not, your ownership may not reflect your actual wishes.

Most married couples don’t realize there are multiple ways to own property together, and each has very different legal consequences:

• Joint Tenancy – Your share automatically passes to your spouse
• Tenants in Common – Your share can pass according to your estate plan (not automatically to your spouse)
• Tenancy by the Entirety – Similar to joint tenancy but can provide additional creditor protection
• Trust Ownership – Allows for probate avoidance and more detailed planning
• Transfer on Death Instrument (TODI) – Names who receives the property at death while you keep full control

I regularly review deeds where the ownership structure was never explained, and it doesn’t match what the owners thought they were setting up.

Your deed should match your estate plan, your protection goals, and your intentions.

Call Bakos Law today at 630-259-1129 for a free deed review and consultation.

— Abby Bakos
Bakos Law, LLC