Wills and trusts for the rest of us.
Convenience | We meet in my office or your home, and are available when you are.
Affordable |We offer flat rate fees and payment plans.
Personalized | We provide warm personal service, simplified.
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Why do I need a will or trust?
Preserving your legacy
Planning puts the reins in your hands, not the state’s.
Protecting your loved ones
Life can be unpredictable, but with a plan, you’re providing comfort and security for the future.
Planning for the unexpected
Estate planning isn’t about preparing for death—it’s about protecting life. It’s about love, responsibility, and peace of mind. By making these decisions now, you give your family a priceless gift: clarity, security, and freedom from worry.
Our Mission
Estate planning is an act of love and responsibility.
Our mission is to protect the people and things you care about. While we provide you with all of the legal documents that you and your family need, that is not the most important thing we do. The most important thing we do is helping you articulate what matters most to you.
The value of Everyday Legal comes from the plans you make, the decisions you lay out, and the love, generosity and memories you leave behind. When you look at your estate plan, instead of worry, you will feel peace of mind, that you have done all you can to care for those you love in perpetuity.
Why choose Everyday Legal?
Hi! I’m Gregory Berlowitz. I'm a Rogers Park attorney and parent, with an office in Andersonville, and decades-long ties to the community. Since 2018, I've been helping local clients design and build their trusts, wills and estate plans.
When I started Everyday Legal, I aimed to prove that effective legal advice didn't need to come from exclusive or expensive downtown offices. I wanted to ensure that everyday Chicagoans could create an estate plan without the high fees and legal jargon that discourage so many people from taking action to protect their assets and family members.
Since then, I have helped to demystify the estate planning process for hundreds of clients with fees they could actually afford.
Whether you require a complex trust or a simple will, my door is always open.
Estate Planning FAQs
Everyday Legal tries to makes planning approachable instead of scary or overwhelming. Completing your estate plan is ultimately about care and responsibility: protecting your loved ones and ensuring your wishes are honored.
Do I really need an estate plan if I’m young and healthy?
Yes. Estate planning isn’t just for the elderly or those with serious health issues. It’s for anyone who wants to protect their family if something unexpected happens.
If you were in an accident tomorrow, who would make medical decisions for you? Who would handle your finances while you recover? An estate plan answers those questions in advance so your loved ones aren’t left scrambling. Think of it as an insurance policy: you may not need it soon, but if you do, it’s priceless.
What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
A will is a written document that takes effect after you die. It directs who receives your assets and who handles your estate. A trust, on the other hand, is a legal arrangement you create during your lifetime to hold property and assets. Trusts can provide privacy, avoid probate, and allow you to set special conditions for how and when assets are distributed.
I don’t have much money. Do I still need an estate plan?
Yes. Estate planning is not only about money—it’s about people. Even if you don’t own a large home or have significant savings, you still need to decide:
Who will care for your children if you can’t?
Who will make medical and financial decisions for you if you’re unable?
How should your personal belongings (like heirlooms, photos, or keepsakes) be passed on?
Without a plan, these decisions are left to the courts, often causing stress and conflict for your family.
How do I choose a guardian for my children?
This is the hardest question parents face. The truth is, no one can replace you. But naming a guardian isn’t about perfection—it’s about love and stability. You’re choosing someone who will raise your children with care, consistency, and values you trust. And remember, you can leave written guidance to help that guardian honor your wishes as closely as possible. By making the choice yourself, you protect your children from a court making it for you.
How much control can I really have?
A lot. Without an estate plan, state laws and the courts decide who inherits your property, who raises your children, and who makes medical decisions on your behalf. With a plan, you stay in control:
You decide who cares for your children.
You decide how your assets are distributed.
You decide who can make health and financial decisions for you.
This isn’t just about control—it’s about making sure your values and priorities guide the process, not government default rules.
Why is estate planning important for LGBTQIA individuals and families?
Because default inheritance laws may not reflect or protect your family. A thoughtful plan ensures:
Your partner, spouse, or chosen family inherits according to your wishes.
You name guardians for children, especially in cases of adoption or assisted reproduction.
You decide who makes medical decisions, not distant relatives or the state.
Who We Serve
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Blended Families
Today, more families are “blended” than ever before. Second marriages, stepchildren, and shared households are now a normal part of life. These families are rich with love, but when it comes to estate planning, they can also face unique challenges.
Without careful planning, blended families often experience confusion, unintended consequences, or even conflict when someone passes away. The good news is that with the right strategy, you can create a plan that protects everyone you love — and avoids unnecessary strain.
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Couples
Many people think that if they’re married, their spouse will automatically inherit everything. This is not necessarily true in all cases. Without planning, some assets may be divided between your spouse and children under state law.
If you’re unmarried, you may still want to protect your assets, your partner, and your chosen family. -
Single People
Single people often need estate planning as well. Without a plan, the state decides who inherits your assets.
Planning lets you choose who receives your property, name someone to make medical decisions, and appoint a trusted person to handle finances if you’re incapacitated.
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Choosing a Guardian for Your Children
For many parents, the hardest part of estate planning isn’t deciding who gets what. It’s deciding who will care for their children if something happens to them.
This question can stop families in their tracks. No one likes imagining being absent from their child’s life. But taking the time to choose a guardian is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your kids — the gift of stability, security, and love, even in the face of loss.
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Unique Estate Planning Needs for LGBTQIA Families
Every family is unique. But for LGBTQIA individuals and families, estate planning carries some especially important considerations. While legal protections have expanded in recent years, challenges still exist — and thoughtful planning ensures your wishes are respected, your relationships are honored, and your loved ones are protected.
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Planning for College-Aged Children
If you have kids heading off to college, there’s an extra layer to consider. Once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic authority to make medical or financial decisions for them.
Before sending them off, consider having them sign:
— A healthcare power of attorney.
— A HIPAA Authorization, so doctors can share information with you in an emergency.
— A power of attorney for property, in case they need help managing bank accounts or bills.
It may feel strange, but these steps can make all the difference if something unexpected happens.
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Helping Parents with their Estate Plan
Talking with your parents about estate planning isn’t easy. It can feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even overwhelming. But these conversations are some of the most loving and important ones you can have.
By helping your parents with their estate plan, you’re not just talking about money or paperwork — you’re making sure their wishes are honored, their needs are met, and their legacy is preserved.
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How Estate Planning and Taxes Intersect
When most people think of estate planning, they picture wills, guardianship for children, or distributing assets. And when they think of taxes, they picture accountants, spreadsheets, and April 15th.
But in reality, estate planning and taxes are closely linked. If you don’t plan ahead, taxes can quietly erode the legacy you worked hard to build. With thoughtful preparation, you can minimize that burden and protect more for the people and causes you care about.
January 2026 Focus: Why Estate Planning Belongs on your New Year’s Resolution List
When January arrives, many of us sit down with a fresh planner or open a blank calendar app and make ambitious lists: exercise more, spend less, eat better, be more present. Resolutions are about creating security and peace of mind for the year ahead.
But there’s one resolution most people overlook — and it may be the one that offers the greatest long-term peace of mind: estate planning.
A Different Kind of Resolution
Unlike diet trends or gym memberships, estate planning isn’t about quick fixes or short-term wins. It’s about protecting what matters most: your family, your values, and your legacy.
Think of it as a different kind of resolution — one that doesn’t fade by February. Instead, it creates a foundation that lasts for decades and protects your loved ones long after the year is over.
Why Estate Planning Matters Right Now
Life has a way of surprising us. A sudden illness, an unexpected accident, or even joyful milestones like marriage or a new baby can change everything overnight. Estate planning is how you prepare for both the expected and the unexpected.
Starting the year with an updated or new estate plan means:
Clarity for your family. Loved ones know your wishes instead of facing uncertainty.
Financial security. Assets are protected and passed on efficiently.
Reduced stress. Planning ahead minimizes court involvement and family conflict.
Peace of mind. You know your values and intentions will be honored.
Five Key Documents to Put on Your January Checklist
state planning doesn’t always require complex strategies. For many families, five core documents provide a strong foundation:
Last Will and Testament – Determines who receives your assets and, for parents, who will serve as guardian of your children.
Revocable Living Trust – Helps assets pass outside of probate, often more quickly and privately.
Power of Attorney – Ensures someone you trust can manage your finances if you’re incapacitated.
Advance Healthcare Directive – Puts your medical wishes in writing.
Beneficiary Designations – Updates who inherits retirement accounts, life insurance, and other payable-on-death accounts.
Each document works together to ensure your intentions are clear and legally enforceable.
Common Excuses — And Why They Don’t Hold Up
You might be thinking:
“I’m too young for that.” Estate planning isn’t just for retirees — parents, young professionals, and even college students benefit from having a plan in place.
“I don’t have enough assets to worry about.” Estate planning is about more than wealth. It’s about decision-making, guardianship, and peace of mind.
“It feels overwhelming.” That’s what professionals are for — to guide you step by step.
Waiting doesn’t make estate planning easier. It only increases the chances your family will face confusion or conflict.
Making Estate Planning Doable in 2026
The best resolutions are achievable. You don’t have to finish everything in one day — just commit to starting.
Here are three simple steps to make estate planning part of your January routine:
Schedule a consultation. Treat it like any other important appointment.
Gather your basics. A list of assets, accounts, and family members is often enough to begin.
Take one step at a time. Even completing one document provides more security than none at all.
A Resolution that Lasts
By this time next year, many resolutions will have faded. But an estate plan completed in January will still be protecting your family in December — and for years to come.
Next steps: the way we will work together.
1. How We Begin
Free phone or in-person consultation. What can we help you solve? Have you completed previous estate planning? Everyday Legal will answer your questions and prepare you for the next steps.
2. Engagement
Once we’ve decided to work together, you will sign an engagement letter and receive an online and/or downloadable questionnaire to begin your estate planning process.
3. Fees
Everyday Legal works on a flat-fee basis. Everything from phone calls to in person meetings to signing is included. Your specific goals and circumstances determine your fee.
4. Review
When your plan is ready, Everyday Legal uploads it to your personal online portal. We communicate on the phone, via email and in-person to review and finalize your plan.
5. Signing
We will meet at your home or in Everyday Legal’s office to sign your plan. You will need two witnesses who are neither beneficiaries or fiduciaries to sign with you.
6. Your Estate Plan Binder
You will keep your estate plan binder with original signed documents. Everyday Legal will also scan your binder and provide PDFs for you in your online portal.