top of page

OUR TEAM

Bill Deitch

Attorney & Counselor at Law

BIO

Bill is the founder of The Estate Planning Law Group. He received his B.A. with highest distinction from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana and his Juris Doctor from DePaul University. Bill has over 20 years of practice experience and concentrates his efforts in assisting individuals, families and business owners plan for what matters most to them.

 

Bill is a frequent speaker on the topic of estate planning, teaching the public, fellow attorneys, investment advisors, insurance professionals and accounting professionals.

 

Bill was an Adjunct Professor at the College of DuPage where he taught a Continuing Education course to Certified Public Accountants on the subject of Estate Planning.

 

Bill is a co-author of “Your Life, Your Legacy”, a highly regarded book which helps laypersons understand the important aspects of Estate Planning. Bill is a charter member of Wealthcounsel, a national organization of Estate Planning Attorneys. Also, Bill is a member of the Illinois Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association .

billteplg.jpg
bkristenteplg.jpg

Kirsten Izatt

Attorney & Counselor at Law

BIO

Kirsten Izatt’s estate planning practice focuses on helping families enhance their lives today and secure their futures tomorrow. She excels in guiding her clients through the often confusing maze of financial and legal decisions to create plans that ensure the well-being of their families and the accomplishment of important family goals. Her considerable legal expertise includes estate planning from a parent’s perspective, wealth preservation, and Medicaid eligibility planning.

 

Whether you are married or single, with a traditional family or blended one, just starting out or looking back on a life well-lived, Kirsten will help you craft an estate plan that achieves your goals for your loved ones today and for years to come.

 

Kirsten received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Smith College, Northampton, MA, in 1989 and earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1996. She also holds teaching certification from the Royal Society of Arts, Cambridge, England. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law, Kirsten served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Senior Judge Harriett Lansing and the Honorable Chief Judge Edward Toussaint of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Prior to opening her own law practice, she worked for a boutique law firm in Washington, D.C. engaged in regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Most recently, she joined The Estate Planning Law Group in 2004.

Kirsten is quoted frequently in the New York Times, and she is a requested speaker on a variety of topics including family wealth planning, Medicaid eligibility planning, future care planning for children with special needs, wealth preservation, and asset protection of inheritances. She also routinely speaks to parent groups about how to protect minor children in an estate plan as well as future care planning for children with special needs. Kirsten is a member of numerous civic organizations and is a former Board Member of SEA 200, a District 200 group serving families who have children with special needs. She is a member of PEO Chapter EN and has served on the Board of the Wheaton Newcomer’s Club.

 

Kirsten has lived in many places—including Kansas City and Minneapolis, where she was raised. After she graduated from college, Kirsten lived in Tokyo, Japan for several years prior to attending law school. While working overseas, Kirsten prepared students who were planning to enter American universities. She has also spent periods of time in Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA. She now lives in Wheaton with her husband, Michael, their two children, and their dog, Pepper.

Kathleen DiCola

Attorney & Counselor at Law

BIO

Kathleen DiCola’s practice includes general practice and litigation. Her areas of expertise include personal injury, medical malpractice, trust and estate litigation, and real estate transactions. Kathleen has been a partner with Bravos & DiCola since 2010. Her Of Counsel relationship with The Estate Planning Law Group began in 2016.

 

Kathleen earned her Juris Doctor degree from Northern Illinois University in 2008. In addition, Kathleen holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Dominican University and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Saint Xavier University.

 

Before practicing law, Kathleen compiled a wide range of experience in both the public and private sector. Kathleen managed PJ McCarthy & Associates, Inc., advising Catholic charities and other not-for-profit organizations on public relations and fundraising. Kathleen’s passion for the law sprang largely from her influential involvement in political issues at the local level. Kathleen became a member of the Downers Grove Public Library Board of Trustees, eventually serving as board president, completing nearly 20 years of service in 2015.

 

Kathleen is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association.

 

Kathleen resides with her husband Chuck in Downers Grove. She enjoys spending time with her three children and four grandchildren.

bkath.jpg
bjennifer.jpg

Jennifer Drew

Client Services

Coordinator

DawnNeumann.jpg

Dawn Neumann

Administrative Assistant

imagesoon.png

Kristen Oakley

Paralegal

bstephanie.jpg

Stephanie Rath

Trust & Estate Coordinator

bdianna.jpg

Dianna Weglarz

Senior Paralegal

bottom of page