About

Eric G Matlin, Attorney at Law

Founder of Matlin Law Group, PC (MLG), Northbrook, IL, www.matlinlawgroup.com, I concentrated my law practice on estate planning for over 30 years, helping many hundreds of individuals and families with wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other documents that protect their estate upon potential incapacity and certain death. Now retired from practicing law and acting as “Of Counsel” to MLG, I work to help ensure that the MLG mission, to “compassionately guide families through life’s transitions with professionalism and sensitivity” continues to serve the community.

Book Author and Educator

The need for an appropriate level of estate planning is universal; just a matter of scope and scale tailored to your own circumstances. Whether materially rich or living paycheck to paycheck, 18 years old or 102, the picture of good health or seriously impaired, estate planning is a gift to loved ones, bestowing harmony and peace of mind. The benefits of proper planning are undeniable. This is the message that I spread to the community through my writing and speaking events.

In the early aughts, I wrote The Procrastinator’s Guide to Wills and Estate Planning, for those who know they need estate planning but don’t understand its urgency. Life’s most momentous events don’t always follow your schedule, so the time to plan is NOW.

The 2026 3^rd ed of Not Dead Yet so plan your estate (NDY) shares my accumulated knowledge with so many families, usually beginning with clients possessing the necessary legal capacity to sign documents, through their life changes, death, distribution of their estates and the interactions in between. Family dynamics and human nature must always be considered.

NDY is two books in one. The front 2/3rds text portion of NDY is a legal roadmap and tutorial to estate planning presented in clear bites with minimal legalese. The back 1/3rd is a graphic novel that caters to anyone who prefers learning visually by identifying with the fictional characters and relating how the characters’ planning (or lack thereof) may apply to their own circumstances.

Whether you prefer NDY text with graphic novel in paperback ($18.18), or text-only paperback with large print ($21.21), both available via Amazon.com, or Kindle text with graphic novel ($11.11), you will gain knowledge you need to help secure your family’s future.

Educating the Community Interactive Presentations

I am available in the Chicago area for in-person NDY speaking events at senior centers, homeowner associations, apartment complexes, libraries, corporate lunch & learns, banks, professional & para-professional associations, houses of worship, charity programs for donors, groups of interested friends and other adult educational forums.

Paired with another lawyer from MLG we share our knowledge and experience by examining the 12 questions posed below and share stories. We take questions from the audience, and they often share their own harrowing stories. It’s an engaging format that strives to be more of an audience-participation conversation than a lecture, highlighting family dynamics and wealth transition.

Fewer than half of American adults have basic estate plan documents and far fewer have documents that accurately reflect their current circumstances and wishes. If you are among this estate-vulnerable population, our Interactive Estate Planning Conversation is an opportunity to learn how to get your affairs in order.

Contact me at (312) 547-1059 or eric@ericmatlin-ndy.com to discuss hosting an adult education event

Our 12 Questions:

1. Does my 18-year-old child really need estate planning?

2. My dad had a stroke and is unable to communicate. I need a financial power of attorney to pay his bills. What’s the cost?

3. What is probate and why should avoid it? What’s a probate asset?

4. My accounts are in joint tenancy or name a beneficiary. Is that sufficient?

5. What’s a testamentary trust? How can it help my family?

6. What’s the difference between a will and a revocable living trust? How does a revocable living trust benefit me?

7. What taxes must I consider when planning my estate?

8. What special issues must be addressed with blended families?

9. Can I write my own will? What can go wrong?

10. Do you recommend discussing my estate plan with beneficiaries and the persons I select to act for me upon potential testamentary incapacity and certain death?

11. How often do you advise me to update my estate plan?

12. What’s for charity?

Following the Interactive Estate Planning Conversation, I sign and distribute free copies of my book Not Dead Yet, so plan your estate to each registered attendee.

Matlin Law Group PC

To make an appointment for a complimentary estate planning consultation with an MLG attorney or inquire about meeting with an MLG attorney regarding other potential estate-related representation, contact MLG directly at (847) 770-6600 or info@matlinlawgroup.com Mention NDY!

You can also explore the Matlin Law Group website at www.matlinlawgroup.com.

Please note that inquiries via phone, email or through the Matlin Law Group website do NOT create a client-lawyer relationship.​

Eric’s retirement