Peck Ritchey, LLC

Peck Richey

Few families expect to face a dispute over a loved one’s estate, questions surrounding capacity, or disagreements about how assets should be managed and distributed. Yet these situations arise more often than many people realize, particularly when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Major life transitions such as remarriage, retirement, downsizing, illness, a dementia diagnosis, or the death of a loved one often bring difficult conversations to the surface. Questions surrounding inheritance, caregiving, financial decision-making, and long-term wishes can be uncomfortable to discuss, causing many families to postpone them until circumstances force them into the open.

When expectations are not clearly communicated, misunderstandings can quickly escalate into conflicts. Adult children may have differing views about a parent’s care. A second marriage can introduce competing interests between a spouse and biological children. Family members may disagree about inheritance, asset management, or whether a loved one’s wishes are being properly honored. These situations are deeply personal, emotionally charged, and more common than many people realize.

At Peck Ritchey, LLC, attorneys help families navigate these challenges and provide experienced counsel when disputes arise.

Even the most carefully crafted estate plan can become the subject of litigation. Peck Ritchey, LLC represents clients in will contests, trust disputes, guardianship matters, and other estate-related conflicts involving allegations of undue influence, lack of capacity, or fiduciary misconduct. Whether challenging a document that may not reflect a loved one’s wishes or defending a valid estate plan against contest, the firm’s attorneys work to protect both their clients’ interests and the intentions of those who created the plan.

“A well-crafted estate plan is only effective if a person’s wishes are ultimately honored. Whether we are helping families plan for the future or resolving disputes after a loved one’s death, our goal is to protect those intentions and provide clarity during difficult times,” says Managing Partner Kerry R. Peck.

From proactive planning to courtroom advocacy, Peck Ritchey, LLC helps families protect loved ones, preserve legacies, and navigate life’s most difficult conversations while delivering winning solutions in and out of the courtroom.

 

Chicago, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Oak Brook
312-201-0900 | www.peckritchey.com

Author

A modern day ladder truck

From One Fire Truck to 8,000 Calls

Downers Grove Public Library, past

Built to Last

Jim and Landon Thome share a moment on the field at Rate Field following Landon’s selection by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft. 
<br><i>Photo courtesy of the Chicago White Sox</i>

Thome Feels White Sox Draft

The third annual Love Like Sean 
Family Run will take place on November 1 at Robbins Park.
<br><i>Photo by Adam Pitra/AWP Photography</i>

A Legacy of Love

Clarendon Heights Fire Department surveying the wreckage.
<br><i>Photo courtesy of the Clarendon Hills Historical Society</i>

TWA Flight 529: Local Memories of a National Tragedy

Jennifer Carmody Haunty and Jake Haunty share a commitment to supporting Wellness House and the families it serves.

Finding Hope Again

Built in 1924, R. Harold Zook’s home and studio were originally located at 327 S. Oak St.

Preserving Historic Hinsdale

`Climate of Hope’ was a professional development session for area science educators led by DGN teacher and Educator of the Year honoree Jeff Grant.

Honoring DuPage’s Best Educators

`Climate of Hope’ was a professional development session for area science educators led by DGN teacher and Educator of the Year honoree Jeff Grant.

Honoring DuPage’s Best Educators

`Climate of Hope’ was a professional development session for area science educators led by DGN teacher and Educator of the Year honoree Jeff Grant.

Honoring DuPage’s Best Educators

HouseHome_1_web

The Reshaping of Real Estate

A bronze statue of Officer Ella French and her dog, Bella, was dedicated in Wentworth Park in 2025.

Remembering Ella French