Brian I. Warens

I believe that the devil is in the details. My experience has taught me that the best laid plans can be undone by the smallest unexamined component. My goal is to provide my clients with the knowledge, understanding, and comfort that their wishes will be carried out no matter what may come to pass.

I concentrate my practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, special needs planning, estate and gift tax, guardianship, and probate. I have prepared hundreds of estate plans, as well as represented clients in dozens of guardianship and probate matters in Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties. My courtroom experience includes preparation, court approval, and administration of Medicaid payback trusts, preparation and court approval of guardianship and special needs trust budgets, and preparation and approval of estate, guardianship and special needs trust annual accountings, as well as guardianship annual reports. In addition, I regularly advise clients on complex estate and gift tax matters, including tax planning and reporting, gifting strategy, and succession planning.

Education

 

  • J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law 
  • B.A., Loyola University Chicago, Psychology

 

Bar Certifications


  • Admitted to the Bar of the Illinois Supreme Court
  • Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • Admitted to the U.S. Tax Court

 

Bar Association Memberships

 

  • Illinois State Bar Association

 

Media

Brian is a regular contributor to our podcast series “Chicago’s Legal Latte” which can be found on BlogTalk Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lavellelaw


Community Involvement

Mr. Warens volunteers for the Lavelle Law Charities annual Food Drive.

Read My Posts

Lavelle Law News and Events

Everyone at the dinner table represents a probate case or contested estate waiting to happen. We'll
By Lavelle Law 15 Aug, 2023
Remember that classic SNL skit with “Judith” getting silenced at the table? They really captured the dreaded family holiday dinner. Year after year, we all follow the family tradition of packing into that one relative’s slightly too small home, to break the less-than-desirable but proverbial bread with your next of kin. The family holiday dinner is a custom honored across all cultures and divides. Yet, why is this institution—the family holiday dinner—dreaded by so many? Is it the reminder that great Uncle Larry is in an ever-declining state? Is that greedy cousin Susan who seems to have her nose in everyone’s business and private finances? Is it your overbearing brother Tom, who seems to control every aspect of your parents’ lives including when they visit and what they eat? The truth is everyone at the dinner table represents a probate case or contested estate waiting to happen. Oftentimes, we fail to see the warning signs until we are served with a subpoena or worse yet, a summons. Understanding how Prob
Minimize your taxes for your heirs with proactive estate planning.
By Brian I. Warens 23 May, 2023
Once you pass away, your assets, including any businesses you own, can be passed on to your spouse, children, or anyone else you designate. However, they may be subject to taxes unless you prepare a sound estate plan that uses the right instruments. In this video podcast, Lavelle Law Shareholder Brian Warens details how to minimize tax obligations for your heirs by using the proper estate planning tools.
Watch this video on estate administration and learn how to protect yourself and/or your loved one’s
By Brian I. Warens, Nataly Kaiser, Jonathan J. Lee 14 Nov, 2022
Do you know what happens to your assets when you die? Have you been named Executor of someone’s estate or Trustee of their Trust? Watch this presentation and learn the dos and don’ts of estate administration. Lavelle Law attorneys Brian Warens, Nataly Kaiser, and Jonathan Lee discuss what you need to know about Probate, Heirship, and what happens to your property upon your death. They also address what it means to be an Executor or Trustee, to help you make an informed decision before accepting this important role. Estate administration can be a very complicated area of law to navigate, especially if an estate plan was not properly drafted, or if the estate is contested. Each state has its own laws regarding aspects of estate planning, and in Illinois, there has been an increase in Will Contests, Guardianship Litigation, Powers of Attorney Disputes, and Trust Administration Disputes.
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