Cancer and Estate Planning: How Families in Illinois Can Prepare for the Unexpected

 Posted on October 01, 2025 in Estate Planning

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. In addition to managing a loved one’s medical treatment, many families suddenly face questions about the future: How will assets be managed if your loved one becomes too ill? Who will make medical decisions? What will happen to everyone else if your loved one passes away? 

While these are difficult topics, careful estate planning provides peace of mind and control during frightening and uncertain times. At Gateville Law Firm, our Plano, IL estate planning attorney has more than 20 years of experience helping families prepare for the unexpected. We offer free consultations to help you create a plan that protects both your health care wishes and your financial security.

Powers of Attorney for Health and Property

Cancer treatment can involve long hospital stays, surgeries, or medications that leave patients unable to manage daily responsibilities. In Illinois, two essential tools allow trusted people to step in if needed:

• Power of Attorney for Health Care: Names someone to make medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. This document can also outline your wishes regarding treatments, resuscitation, or end-of-life care.

• Power of Attorney for Property: Grants authority to handle finances, such as paying bills, managing investments, or selling property if necessary.

Without these, your family may have to petition the Kendall County Court for guardianship, a time-consuming and stressful process. Powers of attorney are a much better way to proactively manage your affairs.

Wills and Living Trusts

Cancer can remind us all of the importance of having a clear plan for distributing property. A last will and testament specifies who should inherit your assets. However, wills must go through probate, which can be long and expensive.

Many families choose a revocable living trust instead. Assets placed in a trust can pass directly to beneficiaries without probate, saving time and reducing legal costs. Trusts also provide privacy, as probate records are public in Illinois.

Advance Directives and End-of-Life Planning

Discussing end-of-life wishes is never easy, but cancer often forces these conversations sooner rather than later. Illinois law allows you to prepare written advance directives, such as a Living Will Declaration, which sets out your preferences for life-sustaining treatment if you face a terminal illness.

By creating these documents, you reduce the burden on those who might otherwise struggle to make painful decisions on your behalf.

Planning for Minor Children or Dependents

For parents facing cancer, ensuring stability for children is a priority. Your estate plan should name a guardian to care for minor children if both parents are unable to do so. Without this, the court will make the decision, which may not align with your wishes.

If you provide care for a disabled child or adult dependent, special-needs trusts can protect their eligibility for government benefits while ensuring they receive financial support.

Talk to a Kendall County Wills & Trusts Lawyer Today

Cancer brings uncertainty, but your legal and financial future does not have to be left to chance. At Gateville Law Firm, our Plano, IL estate planning attorney has more than 20 years of experience helping families prepare for the unexpected. We offer free consultations to discuss your needs.

Call us today at 630-780-1034 to schedule a confidential meeting and take the first step toward protecting your family’s future.