- GuardianshipShe is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and the DuPage County Estate Planning Council. Ms. Strauts was named an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2005 and 2006. She joined Martin, Craig, Chester & Sonnenschein LLP in 2007 as a partner and retired in March of 2021. Ms. Strauts concentrated her practice in estate planning, trust and estate administration, business succession planning, disability and special needs planning and guardianships.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsMCC&S has represented clients in transactions ranging from $100,000 to $80,000,000 providing advice throughout the acquisition\sale process. We have represented business clients in acquisition and divestitures covering a wide range of business areas. Representing buyers and sellers, our attorneys offer advice, negotiation, document preparation, and related services necessary to complete the transaction. Transactions include
- Business DisputesHe has been with the firm of Martin, Craig, Chester & Sonnenschein LLP since 1988, and a Partner since 1994. He practices in the area of general business law and income tax; representing individuals, closely-held businesses and not-for-profit organizations. He has also served as the Village Prosecutor for the Village of LaGrange Park since 1993.
- Limited Liability CompaniesWe also provide tax planning for individuals, partnerships, closely held corporations, limited liability companies and tax-exempt organizations.
- Real Estate LitigationIn this extensive area of practice, MCC&S attorneys represent and advise clients in a broad range of real estate matters including acquisition and sale of commercial (retail, office, industrial and warehouse) and residential real estate, procurement of land use entitlements (including rezoning, special use, annexation, subdivision and planned developments), condominium formation, unit sales and turnover of condominium control from developer to unit owners.
- Construction LitigationMCC&S attorneys counsel clients on a variety of real estate management issues, and represent both landlords and tenants in the negotiation of leases. MCC&S attorneys assist in the resolution of real estate, lending and construction disputes, many times without the need for court action.
- Land Use and Zoning
- Estate PlanningConcentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, LGBT planning, special needs planning and elder law.
- WillsMCC&S offers expertise in estate and trust administration. We advise both individuals and professional executors and trustees on a variety of estate and probate matters, including the preparation of federal and state estate tax returns, and the resolution of will contests and other probate and trust disputes.
- TrustsTraditional tax planning for married couples is designed to create a “Family Trust” or “Bypass Trust” by the living trust of the spouse who dies first. This allows a couple to pass up to twice the lifetime exemption amount tax-free to your family at the death of the surviving spouse. This planning will “capture” the lifetime exemption amount of the deceased spouse, so it is not wasted. Most importantly the family is protected against drastic changes in the estate tax that may reduce the exemption amount or increase the tax rate.
- Power of AttorneyProperty Power of Attorney: A legal document which designates an agent to act on your behalf to manage your assets and financial matters.
- Probate
- ForeclosureWe represent both lenders and borrowers in all aspects of real estate financing, including drafting and negotiation of loan documents, and enforcement of rights under those documents. MCC&S attorneys assist individuals and companies in the purchase of distressed real estate at auctions and foreclosure sales and the purchase of real estate-secured loans directly from lenders. To better serve our clients in this area, we draw upon our experience in municipal, environmental, tax and general business law.
- Tax LawMCC&S advises clients on a wide variety of tax-related matters including business and corporate tax planning, shareholder relationships and estate tax planning, recapitalization, distributions and other corporate transactions.