People: Stephen L. Schar, Partner

Photo of Stephen L. Schar, Partner

Stephen L. Schar

Partner

Chicago
Direct: (312) 460-5649
Fax: (312) 460-7649
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Mr. Schar has nearly 35 years of experience creating estate plans for entrepreneurs, executives and prosperous families, allowing wealth to pass from generation to generation while minimizing tax consequences.

Mr. Schar represents numerous family-owned businesses and he offers extensive knowledge of the succession, retirement and estate planning issues impacting family business owners. In addition, he has handled federal estate tax audits for family-owned businesses and he has succeeded in obtaining substantial reductions in business valuations for tax purposes.

Demonstrating his experience, Mr. Schar devised a plan to save the owners of a substantial Chicago-area family business over $30 million by implementing a major gift program that preserved the family’s ownership succession. He also helped restructure family businesses worth $24 million into limited partnerships that maintained family control yet provided substantial income to family members not active in the business.

Mr. Schar has nearly 35 years of experience creating estate plans for entrepreneurs, executives and prosperous families, allowing wealth to pass from generation to generation while minimizing tax consequences.

Mr. Schar represents numerous family-owned businesses and he offers extensive knowledge of the succession, retirement and estate planning issues impacting family business owners. In addition, he has handled federal estate tax audits for family-owned businesses and he has succeeded in obtaining substantial reductions in business valuations for tax purposes.

Demonstrating his experience, Mr. Schar devised a plan to save the owners of a substantial Chicago-area family business over $30 million by implementing a major gift program that preserved the family’s ownership succession. He also helped restructure family businesses worth $24 million into limited partnerships that maintained family control yet provided substantial income to family members not active in the business.

Education

  • J.D., DePaul University College of Law (1970)
    Case Note Editor, DePaul Law Review
  • B.A., University of Chicago (1967)

Admissions

  • Illinois

Affiliations

  • Chicago Bar Association (Member, Committee on Estate Planning)
  • Illinois State Bar Association (Member, Committee on Estate Planning)
  • Chicago Estate Planning Council

Recognition

  • Illinois Super Lawyer (2005, 2006)


The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no certificate, award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.