Areas of Practice for Jacob J. Frost
Jacob J. Frost has represented clients in the Illinois Valley since 2006, and moved his practice to Spring Valley, Illinois in 2009 to be more accessible to clients within Putnam, Bureau, and LaSalle Counties. The decision to base his legal practice in Spring Valley grew from his desire to serve a community he knew and respected. For this same reason, Jacob J. Frost focuses his legal practice on areas of law that can positively affect the lives of the people in the Illinois Valley.
With a focus on areas of law related to elder law, wills and estate planning, probate, family law, and special needs planning, Jacob J. Frost ensures that his legal practice is focused on improving the personal lives of people throughout Putnam, Bureau, and LaSalle Counties, Illinois. As a member of this community, he sees the hard work and dedication put forth by individuals across the Illinois Valley, and uses his legal skills and knowledge to help protect the wealth and success that comes from this hard work.
Practice Areas
Elder Law
Our loved ones are living much longer lives, which provides the opportunity for more time, conversation, and experiences with older family members. However, as parents, grandparents, and other family members age, the cost of their healthcare becomes increasingly expensive. Longer lives are giving the invaluable gift of more time, but leaving children and grandchildren with an insurmountable amount of debt and expenses.
Proper legal planning and preparation can prevent children, and other loved ones involved in care, from incurring debt as a result of elders’ medical care and costs. Jacob J. Frost has dedicated a significant part of his practice to helping individuals handle this planning, including asset protection planning, Medicaid applications and long-term care advice. Our law firm is dedicated to providing cost-effective representation that can provide a better future across your family’s generations.
Our office also assists with other issues of elder law, such as:
- End of life preparations
- Medicaid planning and advice
- Appearance at Medicaid state hearings
- Living and family trusts
- Other government benefits
- Instances of abuse and mistreatment of the elderly
- Undue influence in wills or estate planning
- Financial exploitation
- Long-term care arrangements, and
- Disability advice.
Special Needs Planning
There is great joy in raising a child with special needs, but it is often coupled with much concern for the child’s future, particularly after the parents have passed away or become unable to care and financially provide for the child. Questions regarding financial stability, an appropriate living situation, and day-to-day care can plague parents on a regular basis. Strategic, thoughtful, and forward-thinking legal advice is the best path to a plan for providing the long-term support these children need.
As well, many families experience the devastation of an accident or incident that leaves a loved one disabled. These families will have similar fears and concerns for the short-term and long-term future. It is important to address these concerns through the appropriate legal resources, including engaging an attorney experienced in special needs planning such as Jacob J. Frost.
Since 2006, our office has represented a number of families facing the financial and legal obstacles of ensuring continued assistance and support for special needs children and disabled family members. By providing knowledgeable and family-specific advice for the care of these family members and inclusive trust and estate planning for all of your assets, Attorney Jacob J. Frost advises clients on their best options for supporting family members who are disabled or likely to become disabled.
Family Law
Legal issues that affect the family can be contentious and emotional. During a decade working in family law, Jacob J. Frost and his legal team have represented many family law clients who experienced fear, anger, hurt, and jealousy as a personal and distressing family law dilemma unfolded. Sometimes, these emotions can cloud the judgment and prevent rational decision-making. In these instances, a lawyer who can provide logical, straightforward, and strategic advice on how to achieve the best outcome for your whole family is imperative.
Jacob J. Frost approaches family law in the Illinois Valley with a desire to ardently and fully represent his client, but seek a result that considers preservation of future family relationships. At times this means seeking legal recourse outside the courtroom through alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and firm negotiation. Our firm handles a variety of family law issues, and Attorney Frost’s areas of experience include:
- Divorce
- Pre-marital (prenuptial) agreements
- Significant decision-making responsibility allocation (custody of child or children)
- Parenting time allocation (visitation rights)
- Spousal maintenance (alimony) and spousal support
- Division of assets
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Post divorce decree matters
- Guardianship
- Post-marital agreements, and
- Paternity determination and rights.
Litigation
Litigation can encompass a broad scope of legal issues. Within this area of legal practice fall both personal and commercial disputes, which range from personal injury to breach of contract. When it comes to selecting an attorney for your litigation matter, it is best to find an Illinois lawyer with prior experience that is similar to your own case or situation. With over a decade of experience with litigation in the Illinois Valley, Attorney Jacob J. Frost knows his familiarity with the local courts and knowledge of Illinois law will greatly benefit his future clients.
Our team recognizes that being involved in litigation in the Illinois Valley can be burdensome, uncomfortable, and stressful. With this in mind, we strive to provide representation that is strategic and comprehensive. Our commitment to each client is to take the time and understand your specific circumstances and background of your case.
We have handled litigation in Putnam, Bureau, and LaSalle Counties, with a focus on the following types of cases:
- Commercial litigation
- Personal injury
- Breach of contract
- Business disputes and dissolution
- Contest to will or probate
- Divorce and custody
- Agricultural property litigation
- Other property disputes, and
- Landlord/tenant disputes.
Probate, Trusts, Wills & Estates
Some of the most important financial and legal decisions you make during your lifetime are those that plan for your loved ones after you are gone. Often, this planning process, and the legal procedures and requirements involved, are difficult to navigate without an estate planning attorney. Jacob J. Frost has built his legal career on providing individuals in Putnam, Bureau, and LaSalle Counties, and throughout the Illinois Valley with proper counsel and advice concerning probate, trusts, wills, and estates.
In the Illinois Valley, Attorney Frost is among the premier estate planning and administration lawyers.
When it comes to estate planning advice and representation, our office is focused on ensuring your assets are smoothly and appropriately distributed after death – a process that may not proceed quickly or efficiently if proper estate planning is not in place. In Illinois, the statutory probate process may distribute all of your assets, but this is often burdensome, stressful, and time consuming for your heirs. Instead, creating the appropriate trusts, drafting a valid last will and testament, and ensuring your assets are divided according to your wishes are better methods for passing on your wealth and personal possessions.
Estate planning is not restricted to old age or times of severe illness. Any individual who is over 18 and in possession of assets should take proper steps to protect that wealth and provide for its proper distribution. Attorney Jacob J. Frost handles the following estate planning and administration matters for individuals and couples of any age:
- Last Will and Testament
- Living Will
- Power of Attorney for Property
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Appointment of executor
- Revocable trusts
- Irrevocable trusts
- Charitable trusts and special needs trusts
- Transfer on death nominations
- Gifts to children or grandchildren
- Administration of probate, and
- Will contests.
Residential Real Estate
Buying your own home is one of life’s greatest milestones. Along with the excitement and joy of purchasing residential real estate comes certain anxiety with making a significant commitment of financial resources. Owning a home is a big decision for many individuals and families. You want to ensure all details of the transaction are handled appropriately, in a timely manner, and with your best interest in mind.
Attorney Jacob J. Frost offers comprehensive and straightforward legal advice on your residential real estate transaction. Our firm ensures that you understand all aspects of a transaction, effectively negotiate price and other aspects of a residential real estate contract, and proceed to closing with confidence.
Our legal team has represented both buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions, and can provide advice and representation on:
- Terms and conditions of a purchase and sale agreements
- Review of contracts from buyer or seller
- Negotiation with the other parties
- Review of survey and title
- Advise on inspections
- Compliance with disclosures
- Representation in disputes
- Preparation of closing documents
- Draft and review the deed of transfer, and
- Prepare for and attend closing.
