Debra L. Stetter

Partner

Debra L. Stetter concentrates her legal practice in the fields of:

• Family wealth and business planning
• Federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes
• Charitable foundations and trusts
• Estate and trust administration

Her practice extends to matters involving all aspects of sophisticated planning and wealth preservation for families and individuals.

Ms. Stetter has extensive experience in:

• The preparation and administration of wills and trusts
• The preparation of gift and estate tax returns
• The formation and reorganization of closely held corporations, partnerships, and charitable foundation
• Planning for individuals with special needs and disabilities

Publications

"Retirement Benefit Planning for the Disabled Client," ABA Trusts & Investments (July/August 2004)

"Deathbed Gifts: A Savings Opportunity for Residents of Decoupled States," Estate Planning (June 2004)

"Can Incentive Trusts Encourage Children to Behave Responsibly?" Trusts & Estates (December 2000)

Illinois Estate Planning, Will Drafting and Estate Administration Forms — Practice, Lexis Law Publishing, 3d ed. (two-volume treatise, supplemented annually) (1999)

"Planning for Life: A Roadmap for When Disabled Children Are Involved," Trusts & Estates (September 1997)

"Analyzing GRATs: Does the Emperor Have Any Clothes?" Trusts & Estates (May 1995)

"Working Successfully With the Difficult Client," Trust & Estates (February 1995)

Previous Experience

Prior to entering the field of law, Ms. Stetter was Director of Strategic Development for a health care company.

During her tenure in this position, she assisted with the company's transition from a privately held Chicago business to a publicly held national company. Her responsibilities included developing and implementing organizational policies, market research programs, and management information systems.

Awards and Honors

Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

Illinois Super Lawyers, Estate Planning and Probate

Leading Lawyer — Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law; Top 100 Women Consumer Lawyers,  Illinois Leading Lawyers Network

AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Education

Professional Memberships

Chicago Bar Association
Women's Bar Association of Illinois