Professionals
Benjamin N. Feder
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Ben concentrates his practice in the areas of sophisticated estate and gift tax planning, asset protection planning, guardianship matters, charitable planning, and estate and trust administration. Ben also devotes a significant portion of his practice to complex will and trust controversy and litigation. This includes representing trustees, executors and beneficiaries in a variety of matters such as: (a) breach of fiduciary duty claims, (b) disinheritance planning, (c) trust reformation and construction disputes, (d) claims of undue influence, (e) competency cases, and (f) tortious interference matters.
Click here to view a list of representative cases.
Ben authored “The Promissory Note Problem: Why Refinancing a Promissory Note May Create Income Tax and Gift Tax Consequences”, Trusts & Estates Magazine. He is also the co-author of “Advising the Client with Sudden Wealth”, Journal of Taxation of Investments.
Additionally, Ben has presented before the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) and the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) regarding various estate planning and trust administration issues, such as: (a) "Planning Dreams and Administration Nightmares: Chilling, Real Life Stories of Plans That Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time," 54th annual IICLE Estate Planning Short Course, (b) "Amending, Revoking or Otherwise Modifying the Irrevocable Trust," 53rd annual IICLE Estate Planning Short Course, (c) Chicago Bar Association, Trust Law Committee, "Estate and Gift Tax Audits," (d) "Disinheritance Planning," 52nd annual IICLE Estate Planning Short Course, (e) "Twilight Competency: Protecting The Not-Yet-Incompetent Who Are Fading, Forgetful, or Foolish," 51st annual IICLE Estate Planning Short Course, (f) "Trust Protectors & Special Fiduciaries," 49th annual IICLE Estate Planning Short Course, (g) "Allowances & Elections Against the Will," (h) "Common Pitfalls for Trustees & How to Avoid Related Litigation," (i) Ethical Dilemmas in Estate Planning, (j) "Basic Forms and Philosophies of Asset Protection" and (k) "Top Ten Things the EP Attorney should ask but often Forgets".
Ben has been recognized by various independent organizations on their top lists of top attorneys. Leading Lawyers Network named Ben as one of the Top Attorneys in Illinois in Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law. He has also been recognized in the selective roll of Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2009-2012) in the areas of Estate Planning & Probate and Estate & Trust Litigation.
Ben is the Vice President of the Lake County Estate Planning Council. He also is on the Planned Giving Advisory Committee of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. In 2011, Ben was honored by IICLE as the Most Valuable Volunteer of the Year.
Ben graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois (B.A. in Economics) and from Northwestern University School of Law (J.D.). Before joining Strauss & Malk LLP, Ben practiced with two prominent Chicago law firms, and is admitted to practice in Illinois.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS