Ted A. Koester

Bringing clarity to complexity and providing a steady hand during stormy times, Ted Koester has delivered sound counsel and pragmatic, effective solutions to business owners, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals and families for over 25 years. Ted leverages his extensive and varied experience, advocacy skills, thoroughness, substantive knowledge, and well-developed sense of empathy to assist clients with comprehensive tax and estate planning, asset protection, trust and estate administration, probate, and business and corporate matters.

Ted designs and implements personalized estate planning and wealth preservation strategies focused on managing risk, protecting his clients against loss, minimizing tax liabilities, and achieving their goals. He is relentless in developing creative, workable strategies that make the tax laws work advantageously for his clients. The plans and mechanisms Ted helps his clients put in place protect their wealth and assets from potential creditors, provide a secure financial future for themselves and their loved ones, facilitate the continuity and success of their businesses, and avoid unnecessary taxes, administration costs, and legal fees.

In complex or contentious estate and trust administration matters, Ted combines effective courtroom advocacy with a recognition that probate and non-probate proceedings can be both confusing and emotionally taxing for the fiduciaries and beneficiaries he represents. He takes the time to answer any questions, address all concerns, and educate his clients about the process and issues in plain language and strives to settle estates expeditiously and efficiently.

Growing up in a working-class family in rural Illinois as one of eight children, Ted developed the solid work ethic and commitment to honesty and integrity that serve his clients so well today. Now with two children of his own, Ted enjoys family time in the suburbs, playing golf, watching sports, and hiking.

Education

• Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D., May 1998
• Eastern Illinois University, B.S.,, May 1994

Admissions

• Illinois
• Wisconsin

Professional Affiliations

• Chicago Estate Planning Council (2006-present)
  • Past Board Member (2013-2019)
  • Annual Outing Committee
• Illinois State Bar Association, Trust & Estates Section
• Wisconsin Bar Association
• Round Table Alliance
• Seton Hall Alumni Association

Experience

• Design and prepare wills, powers of attorney, and a wide variety of trusts (including spousal limited access trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, grantor trusts, special needs trusts, dynasty trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, and revocable living trusts) and advise clients on the advantages and disadvantages of each.

• Counsel business owners on the purchase and sell of real estate, inventory, equipment, goodwill, and other assets; entity formation; ownership agreements; tax minimization; employment contracts; leases and business succession.

• Advise executors/trustees/guardians and beneficiaries/heirs through probate and estate administration; identify each client’s rights and responsibilities; prepare/review necessary tax returns; file reports and other documents with court; and advocate for smooth and efficient completion of the estate administration process.