Practice Areas: Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate
Licensed in Illinois since: 2002
Education: The John Marshall Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2025 
Free Consultation FMS Law Group LLC
200 W Monroe StSuite 750
Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: 312-332-6381 Email: Mark R. Singler Visit website
Details
Mark concentrates his practice in the areas of Estate Planning; Estate, Trust and Guardianship Administration and Litigation; and Commercial, Residential and Construction Real Estate transactions in the context of Estate, Trust and Guardianship Administration. In addition to representing individuals and their families, Mark represents many financial institutions in their capacity as Executor, Trustee and Guardian and handles all aspects of Estate, Trust and Guardianship Administration and Litigation. Mark also works with many personal injury attorneys to navigate Guardianship and Estate administration issues in both opening Estates to allow for advancing causes of actions and obtaining approval of personal injury verdicts/settlements. Additionally, Mark is regularly appointed by the Probate Court as Guardian ad Litem in both Minor Guardianship Estates and Adult Guardianship Estates, as well as Court-appointed counsel for Respondents in Adult Guardianship Estates. Mark has also been appointed as Special Administrator by the Probate Court in Decedent’s Estates. Additionally, Mark regularly accepts appointments by the Probate Court on behalf of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, assisting individuals on a pro bono basis in both Minor Guardianship Estates and Adult Guardianship Estates. Further, Mark has successfully defended multiple appeals before the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court, and in 2021, Mark successfully defended a Court-appointed Successor Supervised Administrator with Will Annexed before the United States Supreme Court. Mark has presented seminars in Illinois on Estate Planning; Estate, Trust and Guardianship Administration and Litigation issues. Mark is a long time Director of the Beverly Improvement Association and a former Board Member of the Christ the King School Foundation. Prior to co-founding FMS Law Group LLC in 2013, Mark was a partner at a law firm focusing on Estate Planning; and Estate, Trust and Guardianship Administration matters.
First Admitted: 2002, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.fmslawgroup.com/our-professionals/mark-r-singler...
Bar/Professional Activity:
- State of Illinois, 2002
- United States Supreme Court, 2021
- Northern District of Illinois, 2002
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- On May 17, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States denied the Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the matter of Padma Rao vs. Midland Trust Company ("MTC"), Case Number: 20-1254. I represent MTC as the Court-appointed Successor Supervised Administrator with the Will Annexed of the Estate of Basavapunamma K. Rao, Cook County Probate Division Case Number: 2013 P 6243. I successfully represented MTC as the Supervised Administrator of the Estate, defending against Padma Rao's objections to MTC's Petition for Authority to Withdraw Padma's Motion to Vacate a Settlement Order in Cook County Law Division Case Number: 2014 L 12745. Related to this issue, I represented MTC as they were completely successful in the Cook County Probate Division, Cook County Law Division, Illinois 1st District Appellate Court, Illinois Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. , 2021
- On November 24, 2021, an Agreed Settlement Order was entered in the Estate of Gizzell Ford, Deceased, Cook County Probate Division Case Number 2014 P 3462 ("Gizzell's Estate") after a trying, but successful mediation before Judge Daniel Malone. I successfully mediated and settled matters of first impression related to the Illinois "Slayer Statute" (755 ILCS 5/2-6 ) and the Illinois "Eligible Parent Statute" (755 ILCS 5/2-2). I represent Midland Trust Company ("MTC") as the Guardian of the Estate of Dameon A. Ford, a minor ("Dameon's Estate"). Dameon was the biological brother and heir of Gizzell Ford ("Gizzell"), who was murdered by her paternal grandmother. I successfully represented MTC as the Guardian of the Estate of Dameon's Estate in defending against Gizzell's mother's attempts to eliminate Dameon's intestate share of Gizzell's Estate (totally over $12,000,000.00). Ultimately, on behalf of MTC, we successfully recovered over $3,000,000.00 for Dameon and Dameon's Estate. , 2021
- On April 13, 2022, an Order was entered in the Estate of Fern Migdal, an alleged disabled adult, Lake County Probate Case Number 2022 GR 101 suspending the Power of Attorney for Healthcare and appointing an independent third party professional Temporary Guardian of the Estate and Guardian of the Person for the benefit of Fern. I successfully represented David Migdal, Fern's son, in his petitions brought against his sister, Sarah, Fern's daughter, seeking to remove Sarah as the agent of the Power of Attorney for Healthcare to provide the necessary care and attention for Fern, who was elderly and to secure Fern's assets to be used solely for the benefit of Fern, rather than Sarah. In my representation of David, on June 8, 2022, the Probate Court appointed the independent third party as Plenary Guardian of the Estate to collect and secure Fern's assets from further waste, mismanagement and financial exploitation. We also brought to light questions as to improper administration of five (5) separate trusts created by Fern that were not being properly used for the benefit of Fern, resulting in the appointment of an independent third party successor trustee, who was able to sell real estate to create liquidity for the ongoing care and support of Fern, including allowing Fern to remain in her home with 24/7 caregivers., 2022
- On November 16, 2022, an agreed settlement Order was entered in the Estate of Elizabeth Silliman, Deceased, Cook County Probate Case Number 2022 P 1013 resolving and avoiding a Will contest, securing a bequest for the benefit of the University of St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto. I represented St. Michael's College in negotiating and securing a bequest that would be challenged and also negotiated the opportunity for additional recovery related to ongoing Citations to Recover related to non-probate assets that are alleged to have been redirected from the Estate through undue influence., 2022
- On November 28, 2022, an Order was entered in the Estate of Leo R. Santor, Jr., Deceased, Cook County Probate Case Number 2022 P 7735, providing the Administrator of the Estate to issue Citations to Discover and Recover against Leo's niece and her husband, based upon substantiated allegations of undue influence, coercion, duress and seclusion. I am successfully representing Leo's nephew, Danny Santor, who I was able to have appointed as the Administrator of Leo's Estate, in the Citations to Discover and Recover. While the litigation is ongoing, through the successful issuance of the Citations, the Estate was able to preliminarily recover $243,000.00 of cash, plus collector coins. We are proceeding on the next phase of the Citation to Recover, seeking to recover over $600,000 of annuity policy benefits and the beneficial interest of Leo's residence, both assets of which experienced changes to the beneficiary designations shortly before Leo's passing, during a hard fought battle with cancer. , 2022
- On December 1, 2022, an agreed settlement Order was entered in the Estate of David M. H. Robinson, an alleged disabled adult, Lake County Probate Case Number 2022 GR 239 resolving an international dispute, securing the personal and financial safety of David M. H. Robinson ("David"). I represented David's children in their attempts to remove David from an abusive relationship in Lake County, Illinois where there were allegations of financial exploitation and seclusion of David from his family in Canada. I assisted in the successful negotiation of securing David's return and permanent relocation back to Canada to reside with his children during his remaining elderly years and securing his assets from further financial exploitation to be used for his ongoing care and expenses., 2022
- On December 22, 2022, an Order was entered in the Estate of Patricia A. Bangs, Deceased, Cook County Probate Case Number 2011 P 2441, issuing Citations to Discover and Recover against the Administrator of the Estate. I successfully represented Kathleen Bangs, as the Administrator with the Will Annexed of the Estate Terrence C. Bangs, Deceased, Cook County Probate Case Number 2022 P 4461, the post-deceased son of Patricia, seeking to recover Estate-owned real estate that was alleged to have been fraudulently transferred to the Administrator, individually. I successfully represented Kathleen, on behalf of Terrence's Estate, in the negotiation of a settlement obtaining a sizeable distribution from Patricia's Estate and bringing about the closure of Patricia's 2011 Estate. , 2022
- On May 13, 2021, I was appointed by the Cook County Probate Court as the Special Administrator of the Estate of Ann C. McGoey, Deceased, Cook County Probate Case Number 2017 P 4690 ("Ann's Estate") to administer a highly contested family dispute consisting of a Will Contest consisting of allegations of Lack of Testamentary Capacity, Undue Influence, Tortious Interference with an Inheritance, Declaratory Judgment and a Construction Trust. I was able to successfully negotiate, with the assistance of the Probate Court, a settlement, bringing a 2017 family dispute to a resolution and closing the Estate., 2022
- On January 5, 2023, an Order was entered in the matter of Daniel T. Houlihan vs. Deborah Soraghan and Terrence Soraghan, Cook County Chancery Case Number 2021 L 6876 dismissing, with prejudice, Daniel Houlihan's Amended Complaint related to the Estate of Patrick J. Houlihan, Deceased, Cook County Probate Division Case Number 2012 P 2221 ("Patrick's Estate") and the Patrick J. Houlihan Trust ("Patrick's Trust"). I successfully litigated on behalf of Deborah, the Executor of Patrick's Estate and Successor Trustee of Patrick's Trust and Terrence, individually to have Daniel's Amended Compliant dismissed, with prejudice, pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(4), finally resolving years of unsubstantiated harassment by Daniel related to Patrick's Estate and Trust., 2023
- On March 23, 2023, an Order was entered in the matter of Kwon vs. Kwon, Cook County Chancery Case Number 2022 CH 11305, resolving a family dispute related to the administration of a family Trust. I successfully represented the Respondent in an ongoing family trust dispute since 2016 by negotiating resolution to avoid protracted and costly litigation., 2023
- On April 27, 2023, an Order was entered in the Estate of Chris Riley, Deceased, Cook County Probate Case Number 2022 P 64, granting the Petition for Exclusive Possession of Estate-Owned Residence Pursuant to 755 ILCS 5/20-1. I successfully represented Joel Riley, the Administrator of Chris' Estate in obtaining sole and exclusive possession of Chris' Residence, which was being occupied, to the exclusion of the Administrator, by Chris' wife's son. In my first Court appearance in the representation of Joel, I was able to successfully persuade the Court to grant the Petition allowing Joel to obtain possession of the Estate-owned Residence, something the prior attorney for the Estate was unable to accomplish since having Joel appointed in April, 2022. The next phase of the investigation as to Estate assets is proceeding with strong momentum. , 2023
- On November 9, 2023, an Order was entered in the Estate of Robert J. Brensberger, Deceased, Cook County Case Number 2022 P 8773, approving the Final Account, discharging my client, the Administrator of the Estate, and closing the Estate, avoiding a barrage of possible litigation. I successfully represented Michael Brensberger, Administrator of the Estate, to navigate real estate-related issues and avoid a disagreement between the heirs of the Estate and avoid costly litigation., 2023
- On December 13, 2023, an Order was entered in the Estate of Joan Walker, Cook County Case Number 2021 P 5922, that: acknowledged a non-judicial Settlement Agreement; and dismissing, with prejudice an heir's Statutory Custodial Claim and Petition to Contest Will and for Tortious Interference with Expectancy. I successfully represented Mathew Walker, individually, in a highly contested Estate with his sister Lee, to negotiate and resolve claims against Matt, individually. The negotiations consisted of a global settlement dating back prior to the inception of the 2021 Decedent's Estate and provided Matt closure to proceed with the remainder of the administration of the Estate, of which he is the sole beneficiary. , 2023
- On December 15, 2023, over the ongoing objections to an heir/legatee, an Order was entered in the Estate of Basavapunnamma K. Rao, Deceased, Cook County Case Number 2013 P 6243, approving the Final Account, discharging my client as the Court-appointed Successor Supervised Administrator with Will Annexed and the closing of this epic 2013 Estate. I was able to successfully navigate and complete the administration of the Estate, a very highly contentious/litigious Estate that has resulted in six separate appeals by one heir/legatee, including two of which sought review by the Supreme Court of the United States. Both Petitions for Writ of Certiorari were denied, one of which, in 2021, was successfully defended by me on behalf of the Estate., 2023
- On February 1, 2024, an Order was entered in the Estate of Scott Jacobs, Deceased, Cook County Case Number 2021 P 8665, approving the Final Account, discharging my client, the Executor of the Estate, and closing the Estate, avoid a blitzkrieg of litigation. I successfully represented Bruce Jacobs, Executor of the Estate, to settle a contentious disagreement as to the terms of Scott's Will related to the residue of his Estate related to Scott's children from a prior marriage, Scott's second wife and Scott's minor child from his second marriage. The negotiations saved tens of thousands of dollars in litigation fees and also brought closure to a contentious relationship between Scott's children from his first marriage and Scott's surviving spouse from his second marriage. , 2024
- On April 23, 2024, an Order was entered in the Estate of Owen Candel, Deceased, Cook County Case Number 2024 P 2136, appointing my client, Peter A. Candel, and Tara Gallagly, as Co-Administrators of the Estate. The purpose of opening this Estate was to proceed with a medical malpractice cause of action resulting in the death of Owen, a newborn minor. Tara is the mother and Peter is the father of Owen. Tara originally filed a Petition for Letters of Administration for her sole appointment as Administrator. In representing Peter, I filed a Cross-Petition, seeking the appointment of both Peter and Tara, as Co-Administrators of the Estate. I successfully negotiated the appointment of Peter and Tara as Co-Administrators based upon Peter's Cross-Petition, which was important for Peter, to be able to actively participate in the medical malpractice cause of action and any prospective settlement, which Peter would not have been able to do if he was not appointed as the Co-Administrator. , 2024
- On May 2, 2024, an Order was entered in the Estate of William C. Vonder Heide, Deceased, Cook County Case Number 2019 P 3956, approving the Final Account, discharging my clients, the Co-Executors of the Estate, and closing this 2019 Estate. I successfully represented John W. Vonder Heide and Paul F. Vonder Heide, Co-Executors of the Estate and Successor Co-Trustees of the Trust, which included multiple Trusts, multiple pieces of real estate in both Illinois and Florida, including an income producing investment property in Illinois. There was also involvement and assistance with the preparation and filing of the Illinois Estate Tax Return. While an uncontested Estate/Trust, due to all the various assets, the value of assets and the complexity of the assets, the administration of the Estate/Trust was fully involved that required an elevated level of experience to successfully complete this 2019 matter., 2024
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2013
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2014
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2015
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2016
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2017
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2018
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2019
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2020
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2021
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2022
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2023
- Regularly volunteer and accept pro bono matters with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in Guardianship Estates. , 2024
Honors/Awards:
- I was a 2023 Super Lawyers Honoree., Super Lawyers Honoree, Super Lawyers, 2023
- I was a 2024 Super Lawyers Nominee, Super Lawyers Honoree, Super Lawyers, 2024
Educational Background:
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies, with Honors., 1999
- John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois. Juris Doctor, with Honors., 2002
Office location for Mark R. Singler
200 W Monroe St
Suite 750
Chicago, IL 60606
Selections
3 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2025