Darcy Chamberlin

Darcy J. Chamberlin

Attorney at Law

Download vCard

Ms. Chamberlin has been a licensed attorney for over 30 years. She is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois and the federal bar. Ms. Chamberlin is a graduate of Indiana University, where she received a B.A. in 1976 and a J.D. in 1979. She lives in the Western Suburbs with her husband.

Ms. Chamberlin has been given the highest rating possible, AV Preeminent, 5.0 out of 5.0 from the respected Martindale-Hubble peer review guide, in recognition of her highly regarded legal skills and professional ethics.

Ms. Chamberlin is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). ACTEC is a nonprofit association of more than 2,600 trust and estate lawyers who practice throughout the United States, Canada, and the world. Membership in ACTEC is by election of the Regents of the College. Candidates for election as an ACTEC Fellow must meet rigorous eligibility critera in the active practice of probate, trust law and estate planning.

Ms. Chamberlin has been selected in the past as a Five Star Wealth Manager in the area of Estate Planning.

She has been named a “Leading Illinois Attorney” by the Leading Attorney Network, an organization that asks Illinois attorneys to name experts in their area of practice.

Ms. Chamberlin is a member of the Special Needs Alliance and a current member and former Treasurer of the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). She is a former member on the Board of Directors of Community Support Services, Inc., a non-profit organization located in the Western Suburbs serving people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Ms. Chamberlin has made many presentations in the firm’s areas of practice. She also has published articles that serve as authoritative references.

Presentations, Publications, and Interviews

Ms. Chamberlin has made many presentations to attorneys, bar associations, and other groups. Selected presentations are listed below.

Presentations

  • “The Ins and Outs of a Special Needs Trust”
    JCFS Chicago, December 21, 2022
  • “2022 Legislative and Case Law Update”
    “Drafting First Party SNTs”
    IICLE Special Needs Institute, December 7, 2022

  • “Legal Decision Making Trends”
    Co-Presented with Sara E. Riechert
    The ARC of Illinois 71st Annual Convention, April 22, 2021
  • “You Have the SNT Form- Now What? Top Ten-ish Drafting Tips”
    IICLE Special Needs Institute, December 8, 2021

  • “Illinois Trust Code- Artful Drafting Results in Efficient Administration”
    Co-Author with Sara E. Riechert
    IICLE Elder Law Conference – October 29, 2020
  • “The SNT Trustee Goes to School – Responsibilities of a family member SNT Trustee”
    The Arc of Illinois 70th Annual Convention
    Live Webcast — June 12, 2020
  • “The Hats We Wear”
    The Arc of Illinois 70th Annual Convention, Key Note Panelist
    Live Webcast — June 12, 2020
  • “The Impact of the Secure Act and the Illinois Trust Code on Supplemental Needs Trust Planning”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Conference
    Live Webcast –- June 4, 2020
  • “Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Community Support Services, Inc. Academy
    Brookfield, IL — March 1, 2020
  • “It’s Not All About Death & Taxes: Preventing Elder Financial Exploitation Through Estate Planning”
    Co-Presented with Sara Riechert
    Northwest Suburban Bar Association
    Estate Planning & Probate CLE — January 23, 2020
  • “Future Planning- Supplemental Needs Trusts and Guardianship”
    The Abe and Ida Cooper Center
    Chicago, IL — December 10, 2019
  • “It’s Not Just about Death and Taxes: Using Estate Planning Documents to Minimize Risk of Financial Exploitation”
    Harold I. Levine Real Estate Institute
    ATG Legal Education — November 7, 2019
  • “Special Needs Planning as it has Become Embedded in General Estate Planning”
    Co-Presented with Leonard Berg
    ISBA Special Needs Conference — March 29, 2019
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning”
    NAMI Metro Suburban
    Oak Park, IL — March 24, 2019
  • “Assisted Decision Making: Guardianship Workshop”
    CSS and Morton College Community Education Department
    Morton College, Cicero, IL — November 7, 2018
  • “Special Needs Planning: Issues Involving Public Pensions and Section 8 Housing”
    Co-Presented with Sara Riechert
    IICLE Special Needs Conference
    Lisle, IL — September 14, 2018
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning”
    MDA Estate, Financial and Benefits Planning Seminar
    Rasmussen College
    Tinley Park, IL — August 4, 2018
  • “General Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Creditor Protection”
    UPS Retirees
    Orland Park, IL — May 19, 2018
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning”
    NAMI Metro Suburban
    Oak Park, IL — April 15, 2018
  • “Special Needs Planning as it has Become Embedded in General Estate Planning”
    Co-Presented with Leonard Berg
    ISBA Special Needs Conference – March 29, 2018
  • “First Person Supplemental Needs Trusts Drafting Tips”
    Presented with Brian Rubin, Rubin Law
    IICLE Special Needs Conference
    Lisle, IL — September 26, 2017
  • “Estate Planing Topics: Wills; Trusts; Protecting Government Benefits with First and Third Party Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    MDA Estate, Financial & Benefit Planning Seminar
    Arlington Heights, IL — August 19, 2017
  • “Preventing Elder Financial Exploitation with Estate Planning”
    IICLE Elder Law Conference
    Lisle, IL — November 3, 2016
  • “Selected Tax Issues in Special Needs Planning”, “Traditional Housing Issues in Special Needs Planning”, “Creative Housing Solutions: Thinking Outside the Box”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Conference
    Lisle, IL — September 23, 2016
  • “Special Needs Planning”
    Du Page Estate Planning Council
    Oak Brook, IL — March 2, 2016
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning”
    NAMI Metro Suburban
    Oak Park, IL — February 21, 2016
  • “Wills and Trusts”
    Ups for Downs
    Elk Grove Village, IL – February 16, 2016
  • Moderator – Elder Law Conference
    Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education
    Lisle, IL — November 13, 2015
  • “Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    NAMI
    Oak Park, IL — March 1, 2015
  • “FUTURE PLANNING: Legal Issues when a Child with Special Needs Turns 18”
    Autism & Special Needs Seminar
    Palos Hills, IL — November 15, 2014
  • “Supplemental Needs Trusts and Alternatives”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Planning Conference
    Chicago, IL — July 30, 2014
  • “Future Planning: Guardianship and Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    The Dravet Syndrome Foundation Family and Medical Professional Conference
    Chicago, IL — June 28, 2014
  • “Future Planning: Guardianship, Government Benefits and Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Epilepsy Foundation Consumer Conference
    Chicago, IL — November 16, 2013
  • “Naming a Supplemental Needs Trust as a Beneficiary on an IRA”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Planning Conference
    Chicago, IL — September 27, 2013
  • “Estate Planning and Advanced Directives”
    The Aging Care Connections Lecture Series
    La Grange, IL — March 27, 2013
  • “Adult Special Needs Clients & the Relationship with Elder Law”
    IICLE Practice Academy: Essentials of Elder & Special Needs Law
    Chicago, IL — March 18, 2013
  • “The Impact of the Smart Act on Supplemental Needs Trust Planning”
    Du Page Estate Planning Council
    Oak Brook, IL — March 6, 2013
  • “The Impact of the Smart Act on Special Needs Planning”
    Kane County Bar Association Estate, Probate and Elder Law Seminar
    Geneva, IL — February 27, 2013
  • “Considerations When Drafting A Supplemental Needs Trust for a Beneficiary with Mental Illness”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Chicago, IL — June 7, 2012
  • “The Role of a Supplemental Needs Trust Attorney in Injury Cases”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Chicago, IL — June 8, 2012
  • “Personal Injury Settlements: Qualified Settlement Funds and Medicare Set Asides”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Springfield, IL — August 26, 2011
  • “Personal Injury Settlements: Qualified Settlement Funds and Medicare Set Asides”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Chicago, IL — August 4, 2011
  • “Irrevocable Trusts and Long Term Care Planning”
    IICLE Elements of Elder Law Conference
    Springfield, IL — June 24, 2011
  • “Irrevocable Trusts and Long Term Care Planning”
    IICLE Elements of Elder Law Conference
    Chicago, IL — June 10, 2011
  • “The Role of the Special Needs Attorney in Personal Injury Cases”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Springfield, IL — June 11, 2010
  • “The Role of the Special Needs Attorney in Personal Injury Cases”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Chicago, IL — June 3, 2010
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning for the Future”
    Jewish Child & Family Services
    Skokie, IL — May 11, 2010
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning and Divorcing Parents”
    Collaborative Law Institute
    Arlington Heights, IL — March 23, 2010
  • “Legal Issues When Your Special Needs Child Turns 18”
    Owen Ellementary School District 204
    Naperville, IL — January 27, 2010
  • “Special Needs Legal Issues Panelist”
    Linkages Resource Fair
    Chicago, IL — October 21, 2009
  • “Legal Issues When Caring for an Older Adult”
    Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Northfield, Il — October 1, 2009
  • “Drafting Third party and OBRA Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Springfield, IL — June 19, 2009
  • “Drafting Third Party and OBRA Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    IICLE Supplemental Needs Trust Seminar
    Chicago, IL — June 5, 2009
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning”
    SEASPAR
    Downers Grove, IL — May 2009
  • “Supplemental Needs Trust Planning and Divorcing Parents”
    Collaborative Law Institute
    Oak Brook, IL — May 21, 2009
  • “Basics of Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Elder Law Conference
    Northbook, Illinois — December 9, 2008
  • “Client Perspectives on Charitable Giving”
    Chicago Plan Giving Council
    Chicago, Illinois — September 14, 2008
  • “Asset Protection and Medical Expenses”
    Have a Heart Foundation Support Meeting
    Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois — August 19, 2008
  • “Drafting Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Supplemental Needs Trust Conference
    Springfield, Illinois — March 6, 2008
    Chicago, Illinois — March 13, 2008
  • “Types of Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Supplemental Needs Trust Conference
    Chicago, Illinois — March 13, 2008
  • “Medicaid Planning Two Years after the Deficit Reduction Act”
    Du Page County Estate Planning Council
    Oak Brook, Illinois — February 12, 2008
  • “Spousal Renunciations”
    Chicago Bar Association, Trust Law
    Chicago, Illinois — January 14, 2008
  • “Elder Law Short Course”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
    Naperville, Illinois — November 29 and 30, 2007
  • “Types of Supplemental Needs Trusts and How They Differ”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
    Chicago, Illinois — April 5, 2007
    Springfield, Illinois — April 11, 2007
  • “Drafting Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
    Chicago, Illinois — April 5, 2007
    Springfield, Illinois — April 11, 2007
  • “Beneficiary Designations on Non-Qualified Annuities”
    Chicago Bar Association Trust Law Committee
    Chicago, Illinois — February 12, 2007
  • “Estate Planning Options for Persons with Disabilities and their Families”
    Trinity Services, Inc.
    Joliet, Illinois — September 14, 2006
  • “Deficit Reduction Act and Medicaid”Illinois CPA Society
    Chicago, Illinois — July 25, 2006
    Skokie, Illinois — June 14, 2006
  • “Elder Law Update – Deficit Reduction Act and OBRA SNTs”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
    Chicago, Illinois — June 7, 2006
    Springfield, Illinois — June 2, 2006
  • “Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Du Page Home Ownership Center
    Affordable Housing Breakfast
    Wheaton, Illinois — May 11, 2006
  • “Starting Points: Drafting Basic Wills and Trusts, Moderator”
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
    Chicago, Illinois — February 24, 2006

Publications

Ms. Chamberlin is a recognized expert in the estate planning field. Several publications are listed below.

  • “Regulations Governing ABLE Accounts”
    The Voice, Special Needs Alliance
    April 2022

  • “It’s Not Just About Death & Taxes: Preventing Elder Financial Exploitation Through Estate Planning”
    ISBA Journal
    Chamberlin, Darcy & Dutton, Janna
    March  2019
  • Chapter, “Tax Issues for Supplemental Needs Trusts”
    Supplemental Needs Trust Handbook
    Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
    2016
  • “Checklist 10-18. Estate Planning for Parents of a Disabled Child”
    Legal Checklists
    Thompson West Publications
    2004
  • “Estate Planning for Families with Disabled Children”
    Illinois Bar Journal
    1987
  • “Guardianships of Disabled Adults”
    Illinois Bar Journal
    1985

Interviews

  • “Safe Storage of Will, Other Documents Vital” Special Section: Planning Ahead. An Estate and Funeral Guide.
    Chicago Tribune
    April 14, 2004
  • “Preserving Nursing Home Residents’ Assets is Harder Than Ever”
    Illinois Bar Journal
    March 2004
  • “Elder Law: Will is Just One of Several Necessary Documents”
    Chicago Tribune
    March 20, 2002