Estate Planning

Born and raised in Mid-Michigan, Casey attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Advertising. Casey worked for years in advertising, marketing, and business consultation before deciding to attend law school. In 2013, Casey graduated Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (now Western Michigan University Cooley Law School), with a concentration in Intellectual Property. While attending law school, Casey worked on various consumer protection projects with the Attorney General of Michigan, as well as interning for an East Lansing based law firm. In 2014, Casey was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan, and is licensed to practice in the state of Michigan, is admitted to practice in the Michigan Federal Court of the Western District, and has been admitted to practice in the Colorado Federal Court, as well as the United States Tax Court. Since becoming licensed, Casey has been working as a solo practitioner in Michigan. Casey has worked in a wide variety of areas including Real Estate, Landlord/Tenant, Copyright, Contracts, Tax Issues, Business Organization, Wills and Trusts, Bar Exam Appeals, Collections, Construction Law, and Compliance. Recently, Casey has received a Certificate of Completion in the areas of probate and estate planning issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Kerri Castellini is a lawyer in of Washington D.C. who focuses on trusts and estates. She has also tried cases involving guardianship, power of attorney, trusts, wills, and more. She is also barred in Maryland and Virginia.

My passion for helping people started in childhood when I traveled with my father, a country doctor, to visit ill and elderly patients. Unknowing to my father, his care and attention to the needs of patients taught me how to help my clients. I have been married for over 30 years. My life-long hobby is magic. I am a Magician Member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. I enjoy performing magic several times a year at the close-up tables located throughout the Magic Castle. I graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (January 1996), Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, fifth in my class of over 200. My undergraduate degrees are from Regis College (May 1986), Cum Laude, with a double bachelors in Accounting and Business Administration. My professional licenses are Certified Public Accountant (Nevada 1990); Attorney at Law, Nevada (1996) and Colorado (1997). I am also a Bar Member of the United States Supreme Court and Tax Court. The focus of my law practice is to assist individuals to prepare for and navigate life changing events with estate and business planning, trust and probate litigation, accounting and tax planning and preparation.

Donald L. Bell, born on September 29, 1975, in Montgomery, Alabama, is a dedicated legal professional with a rich background rooted in commitment and service. Raised in Montgomery, Donald completed his secondary education at Carver Sr. High, graduating with top honors which reflected his early dedication to excellence. Inspired by a strong desire to serve his country, Donald enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August 1993. His service was marked by the fundamental values of honor, courage, and commitment—principles that he embraces and integrates into his legal practice daily. During his time in the military, Donald pursued higher education, first achieving an Associate of Arts degree with honors from Campbell University in North Carolina in 1996. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, furthering his academic portfolio. After six years of distinguished service, Donald was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. His transition from military to civilian life led him to a pivotal role as a Deputy Clerk at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. It was here that he developed a deep interest in bankruptcy law, a specialty that would define much of his legal career. Donald's commitment to the legal field propelled him to attend law school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, where he graduated in May 2003. During his law studies, he gained invaluable experience by working closely with a leading Bankruptcy Trustee in Baltimore City for over two years, enriching his understanding and expertise in the field. Donald is a licensed attorney eligible to practice before the Court of Appeals in Maryland, as well as the Federal District Court and the Maryland Federal Bankruptcy Court. His professional affiliations are extensive, including membership in the American Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association, and several other regional bar associations such as the Maryland Federal Bankruptcy Bar Association, the Maryland Consumer Bankruptcy Bar Association, and the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association. Additionally, Donald is actively involved with the Prince George's County Bar Association, Howard County Bar Association, Montgomery County Bar Association, and J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association. Throughout his career, Donald has consistently demonstrated a dedication to providing thoughtful and effective legal counsel, guided by the enduring values he developed early in his life and during his time in the armed forces. His approach to law integrates rigorous legal acumen with a commitment to serve his clients with integrity and respect.

Gary Newland is an experienced trial attorney evidenced by the hundreds of cases he has successfully won at trial. Many of Gary’s cases have been covered by USA Today, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, NBC, The Daily Herald, Oprah Winfrey and the list goes on. Many of the clients Gary represents are referrals from other attorneys who are aware of his skills and reputation in the community. He has been an invited guest lecturer to the Bar Association and other legal organizations as well as an author of published articles on legal issues. He has been a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chicago Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and was the youngest person ever elected to the High School Dist 214 School Board. Practicing in the Chicagoland area for the past 30 years, Gary currently handles legal matters such as personal injury, workers' compensation, real estate, & more. To schedule your free phone consultation with Gary Newland, visit online, or call 847-797-8000.

Angel M. Traub is a family law and estates attorney and principal owner of the all female law firm of A. Traub & Associates in Lombard & Arlington Heights. She practices primarily in the areas of family law, adoption, estate planning, probate, trust administration, guardianship, and real estate. Angel graduated in 1998 from Northern Illinois University with her B.A., summa cum laude, and University Honors. She majored in Corporate Communications, with a minor in Spanish. She also was a Presidential Academic Awardee. In 2001, Angel graduated from The John Marshall Law School with a J.D., cum laude. She was selected a John Marshall Distinguished Scholar and was a member of the Order of John Marshall, Honorary Scholarship Society. She served as a member of The John Marshall Law Review (1999-2001). In the Fall of 2000, she was published in The John Marshall Law Review, ("The Wall is Down, Now We Build More: The Exclusionary Effects of Gated Communities Demand Stricter Burdens Under the FHA"). She participated in the National Mock Trial Competition (NTC) in 2001 and is a regional winner of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) Trial Advocacy Competition in 2000. She also served as an intern for Honorable Ronald Guzman, Federal District Court, Northern District of Illinois in 2000. Angel was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois and the Northern District of Illinois in 2001. To schedule an appointment, contact an Arlington Heights Divorce Lawyer by calling 847-749-4182.

California attorney Scott Rahn resolves contests, disputes and litigation related to trusts, estates and conservatorships, creating a welcome peace of mind for clients. He represents heirs, beneficiaries, trustees and executors. He utilizes his experience to develop and implement strategies that swiftly and efficiently address the financial issues, fiduciary duties and emotional complexities underlying trust contests, estates conflicts and probate litigation. Driven by a commitment to provide relief to people grieving the loss of a loved one, Scott collaborates closely with clients. He pursues and defends claims involving incapacity, incompetence, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, and other similar areas of dispute. His advice and counsel includes prevention and remediation of financial elder abuse.

Michael Willis founded this firm with his brother, Shaun Patrick Willis. Their father, Hon. Frank D. Willis, is the probate judge for Van Buren County, and Michael proudly carries on the family tradition in estate law by focusing his practice in estate planning, probate and estate and trust administration, and estate litigation. He also has a concentrated practice in corporate law and business succession planning, along with real estate development and transactions. Michael is registered as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois, and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Michigan. Michael received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. Before forming Willis Law, Michael worked for Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP and Kerr, Russell, Weber, PLC.

Jacqueline Ferris MacLaren serves Columbus and the central Ohio residents with estate planning, estate and probate administration, wills and trusts, equine law, small business law, and real estate property law. Jacqueline began her legal career at the Franklin County Municipal Court as a law clerk. At the Franklin County Municipal Court, Jacqueline worked closely with the magistrates and judges while researching and drafting opinions on legal issues before the court. Jacqueline enjoys working with families and educating individuals on the estate planning process. Jacqueline’s personal time is spent with her family and horses. Jacqueline was born and raised with Arabian horses and continues to actively participate on the local, regional and national levels with the Arabian Horse Association and the National Show Horse Registry. Jacqueline’s career highlight to-date came in 2009, when she and her Half-Arabian gelding, Great Days of Honor, went U.S. Arabian and Half-Arabian National Champion in Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure Maturity Horse. In addition to showing, Jacqueline and her family continue to breed and raise Arabian and Half-Arabian horses in Johnstown, Ohio. The MacLaren Law LLC office is located in beautiful New Albany, Ohio.

During law school, Mr. Chayet's grandmother, Letty Milstein, was the principle party in one of the most controversial and public elder law cases in the state of Colorado. The Estate of Milstein v. Ayers, 955 P.2d 78 (Colo. App. 1998), is a landmark probate case which upholds and protects the right to counsel and due process of incapacitated adults in Colorado and has been codified into the Colorado Uniform Protective Proceedings Act (the guardianship and conservatorship laws). This experience was the impetus for Mr. Chayet's career long practice commitment to the field of elder law and probate litigation. Mr. Chayet is the past Chairman of the Elder Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association and the recipient of Colorado Super Lawyers 2011 Rising Star in Elder Law. Mr. Chayet's expertise in the area of elder law has also been demonstrated through his publishing in the areas of elder law as well as many public speaking appearances throughout Colorado.Mr. Chayet is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and a member of the Colorado Bar Association where fellow Colorado attorneys nominated Mr. Chayet to be a Fellow of the Colorado Bar Foundation. Mr. Chayet, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, is continuing in the footsteps of his family in assisting the philanthropic and civic community of Colorado, by serving on the board of many not-for-profit organizations including the Total Long Term Care Foundation, Guardianship Alliance of Colorado, Colorado Citizens for Accountability, Allied Jewish Apartments, Jewish Senior Recreation Network, the Foundation For Hope and the Life Source Services Hospice.