Chicago, Illinois Estate Planning Attorney Profile

Michael T. Sawyier

Michael T. Sawyier is the principal of the Law Offices of Michael T. Sawyier.

Mr. Sawyier received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University (having entered as an advanced placement sophomore), his J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School (where he served on the Law Review), an LL.M. in International Law from Yale University Law School and, in 2000, an additional LL.M. in Tax Law from The John Marshall Law School.

Mr. Sawyier concentrates his practice in the areas of estate and business planning, asset protection, real estate, and business law. He has practiced in the Chicago area for more than 25 years and is a participating attorney in the AARP Legal Services Network, serving on its Chicago-Area trusts and estates and real estate panels. Consistent with that Network's policy, he offers free initial telephone consultation to all AARP members.

Experience of Michael T. Sawyier, Esq.

Representative Estate and Business Planning Practice:

• Member: Chicago Bar Association Trust Law, Probate Practice, Elder Law and Asset Protection Committees; Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates and Elder Law Sections; American Bar Association Entity Selection, Family Limited Partnership/LLC and Long-Term Health Care Committees; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; American Society of International Law; American Association of Retired Persons Legal Services Network.



• Currently assisting in drafting the American Bar Association's prototype Family Limited Partnership Agreement (with commentary).



• Diverse business and transactional law practice over 30 years (corporate, limited liability company, partnership, tax, real estate, financing) (highest professional quality rating by Martindale-Hubbell).



• Asset protection, including family limited partnerships, family LLCs, and domestic asset protection trusts.



• Bankruptcy practice.



• Decedents' estates, guardianships and special needs trusts



• Preparation of estate and gift tax returns.



• Trust administration.



• Preparation and implementation (including funding) of a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT), Qualified Conservation Contribution (Easement), Multi-Corporate General Partner Family Limited Partnership, and numerous estate plans utilizing A-B revocable trusts, pour over wills and powers of attorney.



• Preparation and implementation (including funding) of irrevocable life insurance trusts and dynasty trusts.



• Preparation of wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts.



• Review of trust instruments, powers of attorney, small estate affidavits, and sundry account ownership and control questions for financial institution.



• General counsel to national charitable organization.



• Counsel for retirement plan benefits and distributions, beneficiary designations (including multi-generational IRAs), buy-sell agreements, and charitable remainder trusts.