Estate Planning in Guardianship (11/19/25)

This is a hybrid event with an in-person and a webinar option. Please select the appropriate button when registering if you plan to attend in-person. Event will take place at The Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604.  

At this seminar, speakers will discuss estate planning for individuals under guardianship.  The discussion will include the necessary inquiry into testamentary capacity of the person under guardianship, required pleadings and notice, the issue of standing, drafting of the estate planning documents, and the hearing process.  We will also explore post-death challenges to estate plans which have been authorized by a guardianship court.  We will review the applicable case law, including Estate of Howell v. Howell, In re Estate of Rivera, and In re Estate of Mivelaz.  Attendees will hear a comprehensive discussion from the panelists speaking from various focus points, including the process for presenting estate planning petitions, future probate litigation, and a judicial perspective from both Guardianship and Probate judges. Panelists will engage in discussion on this topic and best practices for estate planning in guardianship matters.     

Speakers:
Leynee Flores, Howard & Howard PLLC
Paul S. Franciszkowicz, FMS Law Group LLC
Margot Gordon, Monahan Law LLC
Hon. Aicha MacCarthy, Circuit Court of Cook County, Probate Division
Hon. Terrence McGuire, Circuit Court of Cook County, Probate Division 

Moderators:
Nicholas W. Zausch, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.; Chair, CBA Probate Practice Committee
Amy Gjesdahl, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, P.C.; Vice-Chair, CBA Probate Practice Committee                                                                                          

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live.