Tom’s practice focuses on the implementation of estate plans to address family needs and minimize estate taxes, the administration of wills and trusts including the preparation of federal and state estate tax returns, and the succession of family-owned businesses.

• University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1993
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A., 1990, member of Phi Beta Kappa

Publications:

Tom is a frequent lecturer at professional education seminars, including those presented by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (“IICLE”), for which he has authored “Initial Steps in Advising the Family,” a chapter in Illinois Estate Administration; “Closely Held Business Interests,” a chapter in Advanced Issues in Estate Administration; “First Steps Post-Mortem,” a chapter in Illinois Estate Administration - Preventing Problems in Probate; “Illinois Estate Tax and Generation Skipping - Converting Real Property in More than One State,” a chapter in Illinois Estate Administration; “Amending, Revoking or Otherwise Modifying the Irrevocable Trust,” a chapter in 53rd Annual Estate Planning Short Course; “2032A- Dealing with Increasing Costs/Value” a chapter in the 52nd Annual Estate Planning Short Course; “Trust Protectors and Special Fiduciaries,” a chapter in the 49th Annual Estate Planning Short Course; “Planning Issues for Closely Held Businesses”, a chapter in the 48th Annual Estate Planning Short Course; “Special Use Valuation Update” a chapter in the 46th Annual Estate Planning Short Course; and “Addressing Unbalanced Wealth Issues: Creative Solutions for Inflexible Clients,” a chapter in Advising Farmers and Agribusinesses. Tom co-authored “Trust Administration in Illinois,” Lorman Education Services and authored “Elder Law Essentials in Illinois,” and co-authored “Estate Administration Procedures: Why Each Step Is Important,” and “Probate Practice: The Essential Basics,” National Business Institute. Tom also authored and presented “Estate and Probate Basics,” for the Illinois State Bar Association and “Estate Planning Techniques for Farmers” to the Indiana Bankers Association. Tom has authored materials and given presentations on estate planning to various groups including presentations on “Recent Developments in Federal Estate and Income Taxation,” “Death Bed Planning,” “Planned Giving” and “Protecting Family Assets.”

Bar Admissions:

• State of Illinois

Professional and Community Organizations:

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Sangamon Valley Estate Planning Council