I have a highly Personalized Approach To Create A Custom Tailored Estate Plan For My Clients.
I take pride in my highly personalized approach which takes into account the individual needs and goals of each of my clients to create a custom tailored estate plan. My background as a C.P.A. and former IRS attorney, along with a 30-year legal career, complements my “straight talk” and strong technical analysis in leading clients through the estate planning, trust administration and estate tax maze.
Practice areas
Drafting Wills and Trust in such a manner to ensure that WHAT your own, goes to WHO you want, WHEN you want and HOW you want.A well-crafted estate plan should provide for your loved ones in an effective and efficient manner by avoiding guardianship during your lifetime, probate at death, estate taxes and unnecessary delays. Once your estate plan is in place, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have provided for yourself and family members in case the worst happens.
28 years
Trust Administration. After a client's death, efficient trust settlement requires a thoughtful process to pay debts (including estate taxes) and distribute the assets to beneficiaries. Prompt action, a sound plan to share information, and careful handling of sensitive issues such as disposing of personal effects can lead to a more productive settlement.
28 years
Estate and Gift Taxes. Estate and gift taxes are confiscatory taxes which may devour over 50% of your estate. There are proven and successful ways to proceed in order to reduce or eliminate your estate tax burden. Additionally, it takes specialized skill to file with the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue the complicated estate tax return, which is due 9 months after death for large estates.
28 years
Probate Administration. When an Illinois resident passes away with over $100,000 in his or her own name, the decedent’s estate then may be required to go through a court ordered settlement process called “probate.” Probate is generally needed to “unfreeze” assets owned solely in one’s name at death. Probate can be a time-consuming, frustrating, and expensive process.
28 years
Languages spoken
English
Kolasa Robert J Attorney Cpa
1401 N. Western Avenue
2nd Floor
Lake Forest, IL, 60045
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 1991 | 12/06/2020 |
MI | Not authorized to practice-Administrative | 1983 | 12/27/2020 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Certificate of Appreciation for Past Presidency of Organization | Lake County Estate Planning Council | 2009 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Robert J. Kolasa, Ltd. | 1993 - Present |
Associate Attorney | Corcoran & Corcoran, PC | 1990 - 1993 |
Supervising Senior | Kpmg Peat Marwick | 1989 - 1990 |
Associate Attorney | Raymond & Dillon, PC | 1987 - 1988 |
Attorney | Internal Revenue Service, Chief Counsel | 1983 - 1987 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Lake County Estate Planning Council | Member | 1995 - Present |
Greater North Shore Estate Planning Council | Member | 1994 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Newletter | Avoiding malpractice under the new estate tax portability rules | 2014 |
Illinois Bar Journal | Making Constitutional Challenges to the Illinois Tax on Trust Income | 2013 |
Illinois Bar Journal | Making Gifts can Reduce Illinois Estate Taxes | 2012 |
The Docket - A Publication of the Lake County Bar Association | The New Federal & Illinois Estate Tax Laws | 2011 |
Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Newsletter | George Steinbrenner's Estate Tax Home Run | 2010 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Georgetown University Law Center | LL.M - Master of Laws | 1983 |
University of Detroit | JD - Juris Doctor | 1982 |
University of Detroit | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1979 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Estate Planning Seminar | How to Control Your Wealth after Death (if you want to) | 2015 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Income Taxation of Trusts | 2014 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Fun with Esate Tax Portability | 2013 |
Estate Planning Seminar | How to Keep Money in the Family | 2012 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Planning for the Illinois QTIP Election | 2012 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Reducing Illinois Estate Taxes Through Lifetime Gifts | 2012 |
---|---|---|
Estate Planning Seminar | The Illinois Estate Tax & Lifetime Gifts | 2012 |
Estate Planning Seminar | The 2010 Tax Act has (GULP!) Arrived | 2010 |
Estate Planning Seminary | Recent Changes to the Estate and Income Tax Laws Will Affect You!!! | 2009 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Status of the Estate and Gift Tax Laws under the New Administration | 2008 |
Estate Planning Class | Estate Planning | 2008 |
Asset Protection Class | Asset Protection | 2005 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Funding Trusts | 2003 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Estate Planning After Death Tax Repeal | 2001 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Tax Allocations and Apportionment | 1998 |
Estate Planning Seminary | Funding Trusts | 1997 |
Estate Planning Seminar | The Attorney Planning for Probate | 1997 |
Estate Planning Seminar | Disclaimers and Disclaimer Trusts | 1995 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Specialized Trusts for IRA account | IRA Accumulation Trusts executed |
Posted by Rick
Fri Sep 20 2019
Posted by anonymous
Wed May 13 2015
Posted by Jay
Wed May 13 2015
William Sweetnam, Estate planning Attorney on May 12, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Robert is an excellent estate planning attorney. He has successfully written estate plans for a diverse range of clients and is very knowledgeable regarding estate taxes, probate and asset protection. His CPA credentials and former IRS experience gives him a leg up on other attorneys. Robert has my highest recommendation as a very competent estate planning attorney.