Having been licensed to practice law for over two decades, Tracy A. Ries brings technical skill and genuine care to her clients' estate planning and probate needs. Known for her clear communication and practical advice, Tracy empowers individuals and families to make informed decisions about how their legacy, health care and assets are managed, both during life and after death.
Tracy understands thoughtful planning isn’t just about legal documents – it’s about preserving dignity, easing transitions and protecting what matters most.
Tracy currently focuses her practice on:
- Estate Planning such as drafting wills, trusts and powers of attorney
- Probate Administration after the death of a loved one guiding executors and administrators through the Illinois probate process, including asset valuation, debt and tax resolution, and property distribution.
- Guardianship of adults and minors assisting families in protecting vulnerable loved ones.
- Estate and Trust Litigation representing clients in will contests, heir disputes and other probate-related conflicts.
Earlier in her career Tracy practiced extensively in family law and residential real estate. She represented clients in real estate closings, divorce, child and spousal support, property division, restraining orders and domestic litigation. This broad background gives Tracy unique insight into how marital property, real estate and family dynamics can impact estate and probate matters, allowing her to offer holistic solutions that anticipate and prevent future disputes.
In short, her past legal experience informs her current work by helping her spot issues others might miss, particularly where real estate or family conflicts intersect with estate planning.
Tracy represents individuals serving as executors, administrators, guardians and trustees guiding them through complex court procedures and statutory requirements. She also handles will contests, heirship disputes and estate litigation, helping families resolve conflicts during difficult times.
Additional Training Tracy stays current through robust professional development. In 2025, she earned over 12 hours of MCLE credit through the Estate Planning Short Course and attended both Probate Pitfalls and Litigationpalooza 2024 for Elder Law Attorneys, expanding her expertise in contested probate and elder law litigation. She has completed coursework on probate and trust administration, Medicaid planning, special needs trusts, elder care, including:
- Illinois Probate and Trust Administration
- Practical Administration of Pet Trusts
- Why Won't the Bank Accept my Client's Power of Attorney
- The Basics (and Not So Basics) of Transfer on Death Instrument
- Medicaid, Medicare and Long-Term Care Needs: Rights, Responsibilities and Remedies
- Obtaining Adult Guardianships: What you Need to Know
- Beyond Taxes: Securities Law Considerations for the Estate Planner
- Estate Tax Apportionment: Who Bears the Burden of Paying the Tax?
- Know your Tool Kit: How Planners Can Address Select Guardianship and Public Benefits Concerns
- The Justice Gap and How to Achieve Equal Justice for All
- The SECURE Act and other Recent Developments in Estate Planning for Retirement Assets
- Drafting Special Needs Trusts for Vulnerable Clients - A National Perspective
- Water the Family Tree: Adding Value for Clients
- Estate Planning and Trust Administration Under the Illinois Trust Code: Top 10 Changes in How We Administer
- Drafting Wills for Challenging Family Dynamics
- Proper Care and Feeding of an Estate Plan: How to Prepare Better for Post-Death Administration of Estates and Trusts Long Before the Client Actually Dies
- Never Out of Style: Charitable Solutions for Today
- Intersection of Alternative Investments & Estate Planning: Taxation, Planning & Fiduciary Risk Issues
- Estate Planning for the 99% Boot Camp
- Collaborative Law Training
- Guardian Ad Litem and Child’s Representative Training
- Robert Musante’s: Take a Killer Deposition
Community and Civic Engagement Tracy is also committed to giving back. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry, where she serves as a Grant Writer and supports programs to ensure food access and dignity for families in need.
Other Activities:
- Legislative Advisory Council (serving alongside IL State Representatives and a State Senator)
- Executive Board Member/President of multiple PTA units and President of the overarching PTA Council
- Team Captain, Northern IL Travel Tennis
- Judge for DuPage County High School Mock Trial Competitions
- Extern for Cook County State’s Attorney, Juvenile Justice Bureau
- Residential supervisor, program manager, counselor and advocate for adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities and people who were homeless
Being a competitor at heart, you will find Tracy somewhere in Chicagoland getting out her competitive spirit on a tennis court. When she isn’t working on her mid-1800’s home, she is planning her family’s next travel adventure. She approaches law the same way, with energy, focus and a commitment to getting it right.
Whether you need help planning for the future or navigating the estate of a loved one, Tracy provides trusted legal guidance with compassion, clarity and a wealth of real-world experience.
Contact Tracy:
847-823-9030
tracy@bellas-wachowski.com