Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd.

Nearby Lawyers Illinois Lake County Lake Forest North Western Avenue

(5 reviews)

Contact Info

Location 950 N Western Ave Suite 210, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
Phone +1 847-234-6262
Website https://www.kolasalaw.com/

Reviews

My husband and I needed a good estate planner to prepare our Wills and Powers of Attorneys. Mr. Kolasa did a good job in handling our estate planning. We were satisfied that the documents he prepared addressed our estate planning needs. He explained everything in a thorough and professional manner. By all means we recommend Robert to others
Robert J. Kolasa is our estate planning attorney. He was very knowledgeable and helpful in structuring the trusts to save taxes and provide asset protection benefits for the children. I would recommend him for anyone who needs a highly competent estate planning attorney.
My uncle passed away in Lake County, Illinois and I was named executor. I needed a good probate attorney to open his estate and answer the questions of numerous family members scattered across the county. Glad I found attorney Robert J. Kolasa to handle the job. Robert opened the probate estate and did a great job of keeping everyone informed. He helped me handle everything, including taxes and the migration of assets from a corporate trustee. Since I don’t live in Illinois, I really appreciated that Robert promptly returned my telephone calls and answered my questions in a professional and intelligent manner. Our conversations were always efficient and concise and he ensured we didn’t waste time on costly and unnecessary phone calls. He gets a 5-star rating in my book and is highly recommended.
My uncle passed away in Lake County, Illinois and I was named executor. I needed a good probate attorney to open his estate and answer the questions of numerous family members scattered across the county. Glad I found attorney Robert J. Kolasa to handle the job. Robert opened the probate estate and did a great job of keeping everyone informed. He helped me handle everything, including taxes and the migration of assets from a corporate trustee. Since I don’t live in Illinois, I really appreciated that Robert promptly returned my telephone calls and answered my questions in a professional and intelligent manner. Our conversations were always efficient and concise and he ensured we didn’t waste time on costly and unnecessary phone calls. He gets a 5-star rating in my book and is highly recommended.
Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd., is my choice of lawyers with respect to estate planning, trust administration, probate and tax matters. I have used Robert and his firm as a resource and they have always provided superior professional advice. Robert’s tax and estate planning knowledge is among the best in his field.
Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd., is my choice of lawyers with respect to estate planning, trust administration, probate and tax matters. I have used Robert and his firm as a resource and they have always provided superior professional advice. Robert’s tax and estate planning knowledge is among the best in his field.
Mr. Kolasa was courteous and answered my questions with patience and interest. He suggested a solution to me that saved me a lot of time and hassle with paperwork. I would definitely refer my family and friends and will definitely go back to him for any estate planning needs. Fantastic experience!!!
Mr. Kolasa was courteous and answered my questions with patience and interest. He suggested a solution to me that saved me a lot of time and hassle with paperwork. I would definitely refer my family and friends and will definitely go back to him for any estate planning needs. Fantastic experience!!!

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About Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd.

For residents of Lake Forest, IL, and the wider Chicago metropolitan area, Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd. stands as a highly reputable and specialized firm within the "Nearby Lawyers" category, singularly dedicated to estate planning, probate, and trust administration. The firm is distinguished by its founder's extensive legal and tax background, offering a level of expertise that provides clients with sophisticated and personalized solutions for managing their wealth and securing their legacies.

Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd. is conveniently located at 950 N Western Ave Suite 210, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA. This accessible office in Lake Forest provides a professional and confidential environment essential for discussing sensitive financial and personal matters related to estate planning. While specific details about the interior design are not publicly advertised, the nature of the firm's specialized practice in high-level estate and tax planning suggests an atmosphere that is discreet, highly organized, and focused on meticulous detail. The firm's commitment to a "highly personalized approach" and "straight talk" implies an environment where clients feel heard, understood, and receive clear, expert guidance on complex legal and financial concepts.

The services offered by Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd. are comprehensive and deeply specialized within the realm of estate planning and related tax law. Mr. Kolasa's unique background as both an attorney and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), combined with his experience as a former IRS attorney, allows the firm to provide exceptionally nuanced and integrated advice. Their primary services include:

Estate Planning: This is the cornerstone of their practice. Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd. excels in crafting customized estate plans that address the individual needs and goals of each client. This involves preparing a wide range of legal documents, including wills, various types of revocable living trusts, life insurance trusts, dynasty trusts, and other irrevocable trusts, grantor trusts, charitable trusts, family limited partnerships, and qualified personal residence trusts. The goal is to minimize estate taxes, avoid probate, ensure asset protection, and facilitate the smooth transfer of wealth across generations.
Probate: The firm expertly guides executors and families through the probate process (for both death and guardianships), handling the legal administration of estates in Lake and Cook County since 1993. This includes validating wills, managing assets, settling debts, and distributing inheritances in accordance with legal requirements and the deceased's wishes.
Trust Administration: Beyond creating trusts, the firm assists trustees in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities, ensuring that trusts are efficiently settled and administered according to the terms of the trust agreement and relevant laws. They recognize the "human factor" in trust settlement, providing sensitive guidance during often difficult times.
Advanced Tax Planning: Leveraging Mr. Kolasa's background as a CPA and former IRS attorney, the firm provides sophisticated tax planning strategies. This includes expertise in estate and gift taxes, advising on strategies to reduce tax liabilities, and navigating complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. They help families with significant assets consider advanced planning strategies beyond conventional estate tax planning.
Asset Protection: Recognizing the increasing litigiousness of modern society, the firm advises clients on strategies to protect their assets from potential creditors, lawsuits, and other threats, structuring ownership in protected forms to minimize risk.
Business Succession Planning: While not explicitly detailed as a standalone service, the mention of stockholder agreements and buy-sell agreements indicates the firm's capacity to integrate business succession planning within broader estate plans, crucial for business owners.
Fiduciary Support: They assist trustees, executors, and guardians in understanding and fulfilling their complex responsibilities imposed by state law and the Internal Revenue Code.

Several key features make Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd. stand out. Firstly, the unparalleled credentials of Robert J. Kolasa himself. His dual qualification as an attorney and a CPA, coupled with his tenure as an attorney in the IRS National Office, Office of Chief Counsel, provides him with a rare and comprehensive understanding of both legal and tax implications in estate planning. This allows for a holistic approach to wealth management that few other firms can offer. Secondly, his status as an ACTEC Fellow (American College of Trust and Estate Counsel) signifies recognition as a preeminent estate planning attorney, based on reputation, competence, and experience. This is a highly selective fellowship, indicating a top-tier level of expertise.

Thirdly, the firm's commitment to a "highly personalized approach" and avoidance of a "trust mill" or "one size fits all" practice is a significant feature. Mr. Kolasa emphasizes that no two documents he drafts are ever the same, reflecting the unique financial and family circumstances of each client. He takes considerable time in the interview process to explain all reasonable drafting options, ensuring clients are fully "cognizant of what they are signing." This dedication to client education and tailored solutions fosters a high degree of trust and ensures the plans truly meet individual needs. Fourthly, Mr. Kolasa is a frequent publisher on estate planning topics, contributing to prestigious publications like "Trusts and Estates" magazine and the "Illinois Bar Journal." This continuous engagement with and contribution to the legal discourse highlights his thought leadership and up-to-date knowledge in the field.

Client reviews strongly corroborate these features. Clients consistently praise Mr. Kolasa for being "very knowledgeable and helpful" in structuring trusts to save taxes and provide asset protection. They commend his ability to explain everything in a "thorough and professional manner," making complex concepts understandable. The recurring theme in reviews is satisfaction with documents that "addressed our estate planning needs" and a strong recommendation to others for a "highly competent estate planning attorney." This feedback underscores the firm's effectiveness in delivering tailored, tax-efficient, and protective estate plans, confirming the stated features and benefits.

For promotional information, Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd. emphasizes its blend of legal acumen and tax expertise. Their website likely highlights Mr. Kolasa's unique background, including his CPA license and former IRS attorney status, as a distinct competitive advantage. The firm's commitment to "saving taxes and providing asset protection benefits" would be a central message, appealing directly to concerns about wealth preservation. They likely promote their "highly personalized approach" as a differentiator from firms that may offer generic solutions. The testimonials provided serve as powerful endorsements, showcasing real client satisfaction with the firm's professional, thorough, and knowledgeable service. The direct contact information, Phone: (847) 234-6262 and Mobile Phone: +1 847-234-6262, invites prospective clients to seek a free initial consultation and experience their specialized approach.

In summary, Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd., located at 950 N Western Ave Suite 210, Lake Forest, IL, is a premier firm within the "Nearby Lawyers" category, specializing in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. The firm provides a professional and confidential environment for discussing complex financial and personal affairs. Its services are exceptionally comprehensive and tailored, leveraging Robert J. Kolasa's unique credentials as an attorney, CPA, and former IRS attorney to offer unparalleled expertise in tax-efficient wealth transfer and asset protection. Key features include his ACTEC Fellowship, a highly personalized planning process, and a commitment to client education. Promotional efforts effectively communicate the firm's deep knowledge and proven success in guiding clients through the intricacies of estate and tax law, ensuring their peace of mind and the security of their legacy.