Michael J. Drabant

Partner

Phone: 847-749-4182
Fax: 630-426-0198
Email: mdrabant@atclaw.com

Attorney Mike Drabant began his legal career in 2010 as an Associate with the law firm A. Traub & Associates in Lombard, Illinois. Then in 2013, Mike opened his own firm, The Drabant Law Group, Ltd. In 2016, Mike joined the firm Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning & Elder Law, LLC, in LaGrange, Illinois, where he eventually became a partner. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm, particularly in the areas of Estate Planning, Guardianship, Estate and Trust Administration, Special Needs Planning, and Medicaid Applications and Appeals.

Mike believes in “ethical and compassionate representation” of his clients. Mike prides himself on his responsiveness by always returning client messages no later than the next business day.

Mike is an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association, where he has held several leadership roles.

Mike was named as one of Illinois’ Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine for the years 2015-2021.

Mike received his B.A. in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland. After his undergraduate degree, Mike moved to Chicago and attended the John Marshall Law School where he received his J.D. and LL.M. in taxation, with honors. Mike has presented numerous seminars on estate planning, including pet trust seminars in conjunction with the West Suburban Humane Society. In fact, Mike was even interviewed by WGN News in Chicago regarding his pet trust presentation.

When not practicing law, Mike can be found singing in his church choir, skiing in the winter, and playing softball in the summer.

Practice Areas:

• Estate Planning
• Guardianship
• Estate and Trust Administration
• Special Needs Planning
• Medicaid Applications and Appeals

Publications:

• “Introduction to Pooled Special Needs Trusts,” - DuPage County Bar Association Brief, January, 2024
• “Tips for Handling Medicaid Applications & Appeals During COVID-19,” - Elder Law Section Council Newsletter, Illinois State Bar Association, August, 2020
• “Ethics Corner: Estate Planning Attorneys Should Not Ignore Their Own Mortality,” - Trusts and Estates Section Council Newsletter, Illinois State Bar Association, September, 2015
• “Ethics Corner: A Word of Caution When Accepting Credit Card Payments,” - Trusts and Estates Section Council Newsletter, Illinois State Bar Association, July, 2014
• “Understanding the Ethical Implications of Fee Sharing,” - DCBA Brief, April, 2014
• “Having A Will Can Save Arguments For Generations,” - Naperville Sun, May, 2010

Presentations

• “Estate Planning: Guardian of the estate and the case of Jay Leno,” WGN Radio, Let’s Get Legal, April, 2024
• “Illinois Estate Planning 2024: New Laws, Old Tools, and the Changes You Need to Make. Medicaid and Elder Law Updates” - National Business Institute (NBI), January, 2024
• “Advanced Special Needs Planning,” - DuPage County Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate Section, May, 2023
• “Introduction to Pooled Special Needs Trusts,” - DuPage County Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate Section, May, 2022
• “Defenses to Involuntary Nursing Home Discharges,” - DuPage County Bar Association, Elder Law Section CLE, May, 2021
• “Preserving Benefits: An Introduction to Special Needs Trusts,” - Wilson & Wilson, LaGrange, Illinois, April, 2021
• “Special Needs Trusts 101: The Fundamentals of Special Needs Planning,” - DuPage County Bar Association Mega Meeting, March, 2021
• “Guardianship for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities,” - Association of Senior Service Providers of DuPage County, October, 2020
• “Understanding Powers of Attorney and Guardianship for Seniors,” - Wheaton Park District, February, 2019
• “Aging with Dignity: Taking Control of the Aging Process,” - Wilson & Wilson, LaGrange, Illinois, January, 2018
• “Pet Trust Seminar,” - West Suburban Humane Society, April, 2016
• “Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples,” - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois, 2012