Ian Sebastian Holzhauer

Ian Sebastian Holzhauer

5.0
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 18 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Naperville, IL
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Trusts, Corporate & Incorporation ... +2 more

222 S Mill St, Suite 200, Naperville, IL

About Ian

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Estate Planning 30%

Assisting families with preparing for the future. Tailoring each plan to meet the client’s needs through wills, living trusts, special needs trusts, living wills, and durable powers of attorney for healthcare and property.

19 years | 250 cases

30%
Corporate and Incorporation 25%

Assisting businesses from the initial planning phase, to choice of entity, maintenance of corporate books, drafting contracts, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, drafting shareholder agreements and capital structures, negotiating commercial real estate leases and security documents, trademark protection, and ultimately to business succession planning. Our firm has served in the role similar to “in house counsel” for many businesses in the Naperville area.

12 years | 25 cases

25%
Trusts 25%

Concentrating in revocable living trusts tailored to each client's unique circumstances, whether those are best met through a simple joint trust, individual trusts, special needs trusts, credit shelter trusts for estate tax purposes, irrevocable trusts, etc.

19 years | 250 cases

25%
Probate 10%

Assisting clients with all aspects of probate and trust estate administration: Preparing petitions for probate, appearing in court, assisting with formal publication requirements, and providing administration advice. Our firm shares our experience to help remove complications with the transfer of retirement account assets and the collection of life insurance benefits.

12 years | 20 cases

10%
Wills and Living Wills 10%

Assisting families with preparing for the future. Tailoring each plan to meet the client’s needs through wills, living trusts, special needs trusts, living wills, and durable powers of attorney for healthcare and property.

19 years | 250 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 18 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2007

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Nagle Obarski PC

222 S Mill St, Suite 200, Naperville, IL, 60540

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Ian Sebastian Holzhauer's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

17 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (17) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Lindsay | February 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Estate Planning & Real Estate

Ian is a pleasure to work with! We worked with him in drafting our living trusts and wills and more recently on a real estate closing. In both cases, he provided prompt communication, was well versed on current legal considerations, and helped us through both situations seamlessly. I would highly ...recommend his services, and would not hesitate to contact his office for future legal needs.

Posted by William | July 19, 2016 | Hired Attorney

Ian Sebastian Holzhauer

Ian provided a strong situational analysis and was able to provide several courses of action. His guidance ensured that my future was planned out successfully despite the hardships I was facing at the time. His performance and dedication to the job was unmatched and I will seek out his services agai...n.

Posted by Jay | December 14, 2015 | Probate

Very knowledgeable and well-spoken

I spoke with Ian for the first time after a difficult estate matter with a family member surfaced. Not knowing many of the key details of the new situation, there was urgency for me to both understand what was happening, and what my options were. I reached out to Ian after seeing a number of positi...ve reviews, and I must say he more than lives up to them. Ian really went out of his way to make sure that I understood my options, and thanks to this input, it has given me a framework to begin. I'm very thankful for the facts Ian provided to me and the professionalism he showed me throughout. I highly recommend his services and will for sure consider him for future legal matters in the future.

Posted by anonymous | January 12, 2015

Trustworthy and Dedicated

Ian represented me before he left the Service and he did a great job of watching out for my best interests. I felt like he was very committed to me, and that he gave his all to ensure I knew how my case was going forward. Although he was very busy with his workload, I never had to wait long to hea...r back from him on any questions or concerns I had. Furthermore, I felt I could completely open up to him about the details of my case and he would not judge me at all. Instead, he offered sincere compassion but a realistic assessment of what I could expect. I am very confident in his abilities, driver and intellect...I highly recommend him for an Legal issue.

Posted by Michael | January 12, 2015 | Military Law

Former Direct Supervisor in the Military

Prior to Ian's decision to leave active military duty service to start up his civilian practice, I had the pleasure of working as Ian's direct supervisor for 2 years in the Pacific. Ian was the Area Defense Counsel at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam and I was the Senior Defense Counsel at Kadena Air B...ase, Okinawa, Japan. Since I was responsible for overseeing all the defense services for the U.S. Air Force members stationed in the Pacific, I spoke with Ian on a regular basis and he reported to me on any major developments in his cases. As with most military defense counsel, Ian's caseload was incredibly demanding and consisted of a wide-variety of legal issues, ranging from the relatively minor military-specific offenses (such as Failure to Go, Dereliction of Duty, or Alcohol Related Incidents) to more serious crimes (such as allegations of Rape, Sexual Assault, and Major Drug Offenses). For the 2 years he worked for me, Ian was my "number one guy" and I never hesitated to detail him to a case, regardless of the allegations or challenges involved, because I knew he was always up to the task and ready to protect the client's interests. During this time, I also had the opportunity of working directly with Ian as his co-counsel on a number of courts-martial. Therefore, I got to know Ian very well both personally and professionally. Ian is an absolutely brilliant attorney with an incredible work ethic whose service will be greatly missed in the U.S. Air Force. He is knowledgeable in the law, diligent in his representation of his clients and creative in his approach to each case. But, most importantly, Ian is committed to "doing right" by his clients--meaning that he does whatever it takes ensure a fair, just, and great result. In the military, it is oftentimes challenging for many defense attorneys to zealously represent their clients without fearing negative repercussions on their military career. Sadly, what this means is that all too often military defense attorneys find themselves making concessions in their representation of clients that are not always in the best interest of their clients but work to benefit the attorney in some self-serving way. Since I have only practiced law within the military, I cannot say with certainty but I can imagine the same may be said of many attorneys in civilian world. In such cases, the benefit to the attorney, of course, may not come in the form of a promotion to the next military rank, but may work to unnecessarily pad the attorney’s wallet and legal practice. I can say with certainty that such can and will never be said of Ian! Not once did I ever witness Ian allow his personal or selfish desires interfere with his representation of his clients, nor did he ever show any signs that he would be prone to make such a mistake! In each and every case to which he was assigned Ian was committed to "taking up the good fight," speaking out against injustice whenever it reared its ugly head, and calling out senior ranking officers when such a "calling out" was necessary to protect his client's rights. This took courage, strength and a strong will to do the right thing, which tells me of his true character and thus what Ian will continue to do in the years to come for all his future clients. As stated early, Ian's service in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps will be greatly missed. However, I have no doubt that he will be of great value to the community of Naperville and the state of Illinois. I know Ian will continue to diligently and passionately serve his clients in his personal practice. As a result, I know this will translate not only to great results for his future clients, but also great peace of mind for all those who may stand in need of honest legal assistance.

See All Client Reviews

Ian Sebastian Holzhauer's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Ian
Katrine Ryan Lazar headshot
Katrine Lazar

Unknown lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ian is a truly gifted attorney possessing a special blend of intellectual curiosity, hard work, and compassion. I have come to know Ian as a fellow probate and estate planning attorney in our community and can always rely on him for his creative insight into complex matters and sound judgment."

Emma Shinn headshot
Emma Shinn

Unknown lawyer | May 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've known Ian since 2011 when we worked complex legal issues in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba together, surrounding detention operations and habeas litigation. Ian is equally smart and hard-working and yet able to find a balance so that he is approachable to both peers and clients. Always willing to lend a hand, his charismatic approach to tough issues makes him a great friend and amazing attorney. If you are in need of a solid, trustworthy gentlemen, Ian Holzhauer is the total package."

Patrick John Kelly headshot
Patrick Kelly

Probate lawyer | Mar 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ian is a very knowledgeable attorney in downtown Naperville who I refer my clients to when they need assistance with estate planning or probate needs. I know that Ian is extremely hard working and trustworthy, and would be a great attorney for anyone in need of an estate planning/probate attorney."

John Christopher Kreamer headshot
John Kreamer

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ian is a life-long resident of Naperville and is very active in our community. Ian proudly served his country as a uniformed attorney in the JAG Corps in the United States Air Force. I recommend Ian as he is a talented lawyer who cares a great deal about his clients."

Daniel Peter Berner headshot
Daniel Berner

Trusts lawyer | Mar 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I attended law school with Ian at Georgetown University. Ian was regarded by his fellow students not only as an extremely intelligent student but also as a tremendously caring colleague. I am not surprised by the fact that he has focused his practice on estate planning and trusts, a field which requires a combination of intelligence and deep compassion, both of which Ian has in ample supply. I endorse Ian fully and without reservations."

Douglas Alan Greenberg headshot
Douglas Greenberg

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Friend

"Ian Holzhauer is a truly passionate and extraordinary estate planning attorney. I myself am a lawyer. And once did estate planning, actually (I've since moved on). Obviously, I've met quite a few estate planning lawyers in my day. But Ian easily stands out above the rest. Why? Because most estate planning attorneys offer little more than boilerplate forms and solutions - ignoring the things that make their clients unique and special. Not Ian. Ian is actually passionate and genuinely interested in understanding you and your family. By contrast, he will craft an estate plan that you can feel good about. One that is truly tailored to your wishes, assets and family dynamics. My highest recommendation."

Ken Wang headshot
Ken Wang

Trusts lawyer | Sep 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ian has generously answered estate planning questions I have encountered with grace and courtesy. It has been my great pleasure to listen to how his mind analyzed every issue through his step by step explanations. I highly recommend Ian as an excellent estate planning attorney."

Nathaniel Wagner Koppel headshot
Nathaniel Koppel

Estate planning lawyer | Jun 20

Relationship: Friend

"Ian is an individual of outstanding integrity. I would recommend him without hesitation as an attorney and as a person."

Javier A Farfan headshot
Javier Farfan

Wills and living wills lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Ian since 2006. We both attended the Air Force field training course at Maxwell Air Force Base and were cadets in the same flight. Not only did we go through four weeks of officer training, we both enter the Judge Advocate Corps at the same time. Ian is an individual of good character and a incredible legal mind. He was an excellent Judge Advocate and I have no doubt that his civilian legal practice will have the same level of excellence."

Christopher D Cazares headshot
Christopher Cazares

Estate planning lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I served on Active Duty with Ian Holzhauer and worked as opposing counsel on two separate matters. Ian is relentless and thoroughly prepared for his client's cause. I strongly endorse this lawyer."

Megan Elizabeth Gagnon headshot
Megan Gagnon

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Ian since 2008, when we met through the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps. His unwavering dedication to his clients and meticulous attention to detail earned Ian tremendous respect amongst his peers, supervisors, and the active duty military community. When handling complex estate planning matters, Ian was always able to expertly navigate complicated areas of law, while explaining concepts to his clients in a clear and concise manner."

Kevin Yamashita Reinholz headshot
Kevin Reinholz

Litigation lawyer | Jan 12

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Ian is a zealous, conscientious advocate for his clients. I was opposing counsel on two felony-level trials. His tenacity, level of preparation, and professionalism set him apart from other prosecutors in the region and earned him a competitive selection for a follow-on assignment as a military defense lawyer."

James Howard Gutzman headshot
James Gutzman

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I first worked with Ian in 2008. He is a conscientious, methodical attorney. I wholeheartedly endorse him."

Daniel Soonghyun Lee headshot
Daniel Lee

Unknown lawyer | Dec 29

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I worked with Ian on several litigated court cases. He was meticulous and professional but I was most impressed by his dedication to his clients' needs. He genuinely cares about his clients and really connects with them at a personal level. For anyone seeking a dedicated lawyer to plan their estate with the ability to take it all the way to litigation, Ian is the one to choose."

John Henry Bone headshot
John Bone

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 27

Relationship: Co-worker

"I worked with Ian early in my career and was fortunate to have him as my first attorney mentor. I learned a lot from him about the long, hard hours required to give the client a quality product. He taught me what it meant to be thorough and he thought of things I had not even begun to anticipate. He is more than a gifted courtroom advocate, though -- he was well-respected in all areas of practice in our legal office, including estate planning, and when I sought his advice on any particular matter, he always set me up for success. While Ian is extremely competent, his legal skills are not my reason for endorsing him. I endorse this lawyer because he is a man of high character. Ian can be trusted with your problems, your privacy, and your money, and I recommend him to anyone seeking legal advice."

Michael J Berens headshot
Michael Berens

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I know Ian because we served as Judge Advocates (JAGs) in the US Air Force together for approximately six years. We worked very closely with one another for almost two years while we were assigned to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. Ian proved to be a fast learner and a dedicated counsel to his clients. He was selected to serve as a defense counsel, which is a competitive and coveted position to secure. Many JAGs aspire to serve a tour as defense counsel, but few have the opportunity. Ian excelled at every role he was assigned and I am certain he will excel in private practice. I will refer estate planning and related cases to Ian with confidence."

View All Endorsements
Emma Shinn headshot
Emma Shinn

Unknown lawyer

Cindy Kneip Campbell headshot
Cindy Campbell

Wills and living wills lawyer

Michael Ryan Sitrick headshot
Michael Sitrick

Trusts lawyer

Theresa Ann Berkey headshot
Theresa Berkey

Estate planning lawyer

Scott Edgar Harding headshot
Scott Harding

Criminal defense lawyer

Justin J. Karubas headshot
Justin Karubas

Probate lawyer

Carleton Wesley Yoder headshot
Carleton Yoder

Estate planning lawyer

Daniel Peter Berner headshot
Daniel Berner

Immigration lawyer

Richard Davis Younts headshot
Richard Younts

Criminal defense lawyer

Koren Rochaun Stevenson headshot
Koren Stevenson

Administrative law lawyer

Miguel Angel Fernandez headshot
Miguel Fernandez

Real estate lawyer

John Christopher Kreamer headshot
John Kreamer

Litigation lawyer

Ryan Michael Norrell headshot
Ryan Norrell

Administrative law lawyer

Derek Matthew Johnson headshot
Derek Johnson

Litigation lawyer

Carrie Marie Buddingh headshot
Carrie Buddingh

Estate planning lawyer

Patrick John Kelly headshot
Patrick Kelly

Litigation lawyer

Bruno Walter Tabis Jr. headshot
Bruno Tabis

Estate planning lawyer

Katrine Ryan Lazar headshot
Katrine Lazar

Estate planning lawyer

Gregory Owen Friedland headshot
Gregory Friedland

Government lawyer

Ken Wang headshot
Ken Wang

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Four Under Forty, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce

2014

Air Force Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster), United States Air Force

2012

Joint Service Commendation Medal, United States Navy

2007

Magna Cum Laude, Georgetown University Law Center

2007

Order of the Coif, Georgetown University Law Center

2007

Top Paper - CALI Award - War and Peace Law School Seminar, Georgetown University Law Center

2005

Top Paper - CALI Award for Decedent's Estates Class, Georgetown University Law Center

2005

Top Paper - CALI Award for Taxation I Class, Georgetown University Law Center

2004

Summa Cum Laude, University of Florida

2004

Phi Beta Kappa, University of Florida

2001

National Merit Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Associate, Nagle Obarski PC

2007 - 2014

JAG, United States Air Force JAG Corps

Associations

2017 - Present

Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce

Board Member

2016 - Present

DuPage Children's Museum

Next Generation Board Member

2015 - Present

DuPage County Bar Association

Member

2015 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section

Member

2015 - Present

DuPage County Estate Planning Council

Member

2015 - Present

Naperville Young Professionals Network

Member

2010 - 2011

Company Grade Officer's Council - Andersen

President

Sample of Legal Cases

US v. AT

Full acquittal.

US v. AC

Full acquittal

US v. ES

Full acquittal.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2007

Georgetown University

JD - Juris Doctor

2004

University of Florida

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

WSPN Monthly Program Developing Effective Junior Boards

2013

UOG Employment Law Seminar

Employment Law

2012

Guam Judiciary Law Day at Andersen AFB

Military Law

Publications

2018

Illinois State Bar Association Trust and Estates Newsletter Routine Estate Planning Questions from Married Homeowners

2016

DuPage County Bar Association Brief Estate Planning for the International Family

Languages

English

Activity

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10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution