Curt William Ferguson

Curt William Ferguson

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 36 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Salem, IL
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Business

The Estate Planning Center, 919 West Main, Salem, IL

About Curt

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Estate Planning 90%

Through a unique, proactive estate planning process we help people control their future and direct their assets in such a way as to make the greatest positive impact on the lives of the people they love. It's not a document; it's a plan that works!

37 years | 1,000 cases

90%
Business 10%

Your small business (corporation, LLC, etc.) must be operated with proper formalities, or it will not serve it's intended purposes. With our help, you can realize tax and asset protection benefits, then (coordinated with your estate plan) transfer the business to your chosen successor.

30 years | 100 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Missouri for 22 years

State: Missouri

Acquired: 2004

Good Standing, Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Illinois for 36 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1989

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Curt W. Ferguson, P.C.

The Estate Planning Center, 919 West Main, Salem, IL, 62881-1303

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Curt William Ferguson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

42 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (42) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Ron & Sherrie | January 14, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

The best planning for Seniors

My wife and I set up our trust years ago and we thought we did everything right. As years past we begin to think differently about what we wanted our trust to accomplish. We've known Curt for many years and he has helped many of my clients set up their trust to perfection. We called Curt to explai...n that we needed a complete review of our current trust. What surprised me the most was his next comment, (I would be happy to help you and your wife but I would recommend that you both attend our Truth About Estate Planning work shop). We agreed to his advice and set our dates to attend these meetings at his office in Salem,Il. My wife and I attended a total of five meetings and all I can say we were so pleased with the information we received and the total dedication by Curt and his staff to meet our needs. We are now part of the LifeSpan program and we are convinced that our needs will be met and what we were able to accomplish for our heirs will leave a lifetime legacy.

Posted by Meris | July 06, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

Meris & Dale McCalla

We knew we would need a firm that was not only aggressive but persistent. Knowing that we would not have to be the ones to keep up with current changes in the law was a huge relief to us. We are also people that need a "gentle" nudge to get our homework done and handed in. We have complete confi...dence in the work they preform. It is also nice to have it explained in terms we can understand ie: School Bus trust. Entire staff pleasant and very capable to work with.

Posted by Dwight & Betty Edgington | April 13, 2015 | Estate Planning

D & B Edgington

We don't mean to be informal, but we really like Mr. Ferguson, we call him Curt, he is an excellent attorney. He's a Christian and a family man. He is very knowledgeable in his field. He takes time to explain things and he makes sure it's the way it gets done. We would recommend him and his staff for... all your estate needs.

Posted by Martha | April 05, 2015 | Estate Planning

Pleased

Curt explains things well, although I admit to asking myself questions when I leave. At the time of my husband's death I was glad we had chosen the Estate Planning Center three years prior. Their expertise was excellent, and settled in a timely manner. Curt prides himself with having client update...s during the year in group sessions. The entire office staff are knowledgeable

Posted by Frank | April 02, 2015 | Trusts

Continuing use of Curt's service

Curt original discussion was informative of various ways to prepare trust. He corrected mistakes in our original trust. He has met with us and our children as developed various aspects of our plan. He guided us through specific plans when developed L.P,s including family L.p. He has answered al...l questions that we had on aspects of the plan in conjunction with our financial adviser, and accountant. He has been an integral part of the team to make changes or additions over the years we have been clients. He holds a meeting each to educate us on any new laws or information. Very professional and excellent staff for any minor assistance that is needed.

See All Client Reviews

Curt William Ferguson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Curt
Chris Godfrey headshot
Chris Godfrey

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Curt is my go-to guy whenever I have a problem affecting our farming families. Not only is he very knowledgeable but his experience provides an invaluable perspective that is unique in our field. I enjoy spending time with him. A prospective client would be well-served by him and his exceptional team at the Estate Planning Center."

Joseph Michael Ferraro headshot
Joseph Ferraro

Estate planning lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Curt is one of the brightest minds in the estate planning profession. His cutting-edge strategies influence how attorneys practice across the country. He also combines this expertise with an incomparably high level of dedication to his clients and their estate plans. I highly recommend Curt without hesitation."

David Preston Crandall headshot
David Crandall

Estate planning lawyer | Apr 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Curt for about seven years due to our mutual involvement in the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. I consider him one of my mentors in providing the highest quality estate planning for my clients. He is a caring and incredibly intelligent lawyer, exhibiting the very highest of ethical standards as a Christian attorney. I could not recommend him more highly."

Scott Allen Williams headshot
Scott Williams

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"It has been my sincere pleasure to have had the opportunity to work closely with Curt on a number of complex legal projects over the past 10 years. Curt is by far one of the most technically strong estate planning attorneys I have ever worked with. I am particularly impressed with his ability to sort through complex legal issues to find common sense and practical solutions for his clients. He is exceptionally committed to finding innovative ways to ensure each of his clients' estate plans achieve the purpose for which they were put in place. His work ethic is beyond reproach and he genuinely cares for each of his clients. I could not give a higher endorsement for this friend and colleague."

Tamara Beam Cain headshot
Tamara Cain

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have worked with Curt Ferguson in the estate planning arena for a number of years. His law firm is truly education-focused. Curt has developed a unique approach to estate planning that makes the complex subject of estate planning easy to understand, organized, and cost effective. He and his team at The Estate Planning Center establish life-long relationships with their clients, their client's helpers, and their client's families. Curt understands that estate plans must be maintained and updated because of changes in the law, the tax system, the family, mobility of family helpers, and Curt's constantly evolving methods for addressing his client's issues. I endorse Curt Ferguson and The Estate Planning Center for the process they have developed to make sure that their client's estate plans work as intended."

William F. Coyne Jr headshot
William Coyne

Estate planning lawyer | Jun 25

Relationship: Other

"I have known Curt for more than ten years. Curt is that rare lawyer who is both technically very knowledgeable and dedicated to achieving a client's personal goals for the family. I have learned a great deal from him -- both about cutting edge tax minimization techniques, and about creative ways to design, implement, and maintain plans to achieve a client's long term goals."

Gary Roger Waitzman headshot
Gary Waitzman

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have know Curt for many years as a joint member of the NNEPA a national estate planning group for attorneys. I know from working with him and being around him that he is one of the most intelligent, hard working, spiritual and dedicated attorneys I have ever met. He consistently goes the extra mile for his clients and the results speak for themselves. I highly recommend and endorse Curt."

View All Endorsements
Matthew A. Ferri headshot
Matthew Ferri

Estate planning lawyer

Chris Godfrey headshot
Chris Godfrey

Estate planning lawyer

David Preston Crandall headshot
David Crandall

Estate planning lawyer

Jeffrey Allen Cramer headshot
Jeffrey Cramer

Estate planning lawyer

Scott Allen Williams headshot
Scott Williams

Unknown lawyer

Paul H Grant headshot
Paul Grant

Estate planning lawyer

Tamara Beam Cain headshot
Tamara Cain

Estate planning lawyer

Justin Peter Dituri headshot
Justin Dituri

Estate planning lawyer

William F. Coyne Jr headshot
William Coyne

Estate planning lawyer

Gary Roger Waitzman headshot
Gary Waitzman

Estate planning lawyer

Michael Allen Dolan headshot
Michael Dolan

Estate planning lawyer

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Samuel Collins

Estate planning lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2009

"The Spoon of Integrity", National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys

Work Experience

1989 - Present

President & Founder, The Estate Planning Center

Associations

2014 - Present

National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys

Chairman: Drafting Development Task Force

2000 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Section

Member

1996 - Present

National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys

Member

1989 - Present

Christian Legal Society

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Estate and Gift Tax Success

100% reduction in estate tax

See More Legal Cases

Education

1989

University of Texas School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

Speaking Engagements

2020

Trusts 101 Grantor Trusts

2017

NNEPA Collegium

Transfer the Family Business via Sale to Grantor Trust

2016

Trusts 101 (NBI) and National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys Collegium Grantor Trusts

2015

National Network Collegium (Orlando) [Keynote Legal Address] Powers of Appointment: Flexibility in Estate Planning

2015

National Network Collegium (Indianapolis)

Clayton QTIP: an old idea for a new paradigm

2014

National Network Collegium (Indianapolis)

Practical Drafting of Irrevocable Trusts

2013

National Network Collegium (Orlando) [Keynote Legal Address]

ATRA 2012: It's Really Not About THOSE Taxes!

2013

National Network Collegium (Indianapolis)

ATRA: Estate vs. Capital Gain Tax: A Whole New Ballgame

2013

Farm Credit College

Estate Planning 101: Effective Planning for Farm Families

2012

National Network Collegium

Generation Skipping Transfer Tax Planning

Publications

2020

Illinois State Bar Association Trust and Estates Newsletter Beauty and the Beast: Spendthrift Trust meets the SECURE Act

2018

Illinois State Bar Association Trust and Estates Newsletter Beyond taxes and probate: Revive and refine the spendthrift trust

2016

Illinois State Bar Association Trust and Estates Newsletter Protective trusts without compressed tax brackets for trust management

2015

Illinois State Bar Association Trust and Estates Newsletter Stepping up the Basis on Credit Shelter Trust Assets: Having your cake and eating it too

2013

ISBA Agricultural Law Newsletter My attorney won’t tell me what I should do!

2013

Illinois State Bar Association Trust and Estates Newsletter Reflections on National Network Membership

Languages

English

Activity

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