Austin Kelley

Associate

847-330-6066
akelley@mpslaw.com

Schaumburg

1450 American Lane, Suite 1900
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

Austin Kelley is an attorney who concentrates his practice on estate planning, wealth transfer, and the administration of trusts and estates. He is licensed in both Illinois and Florida and advises individuals, families, and closely held business owners on the design and implementation of comprehensive planning strategies tailored to preserve wealth, minimize tax exposure, and facilitate the efficient transfer of assets across generations.

Austin regularly counsels clients on federal and state transfer tax planning, including strategies to mitigate exposure to federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as the Illinois estate tax. His practice includes the implementation of advanced planning techniques such as spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs), grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), and intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), among others. He also advises on charitable planning strategies, including charitable remainder and charitable lead trusts, to help clients achieve both philanthropic and tax-efficient outcomes.

In addition, Austin works closely with business owners on succession planning, structuring transitions that align with both personal and enterprise-level objectives. He has extensive experience drafting revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, and related instruments, as well as advising fiduciaries and beneficiaries in all phases of trust and estate administration.

Austin represents trustees, executors, and beneficiaries in both routine and contested matters, including proceedings in probate court. His approach emphasizes clarity, technical precision, and practical solutions designed to achieve each client’s legal, financial, and personal goals.

Outside of the practice of law, Austin loves playing sports and spending time with his wife, Nikki, and his two children, Olivia and Jackson.

Practice Areas

Education

  • J.D., summa cum laude, Northern Illinois University College of Law
  • B.S., cum laude, North Park University

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Florida
  • TRUSTS AND ESTATES:
  • Used traditional and advanced planning techniques to reduce estate tax payable upon the death of a high net worth individual from approximately $22 million to $0.
  • Assisted a client worth in excess of $100 million with passing the client’s assets onto the next generation in a manner that provides the client’s children with protection from creditors, ex-spouses, and taxes. For the same client, the estate tax payable upon death was reduced by over $32 million, which meant $32 million in additional benefit for the heirs of the client.
  • Advised a client on the administration of a multi-million dollar estate that included property in various foreign jurisdictions.
  • Helped a lottery winner to make an untraceable and anonymous claim via the use of creative trust planning techniques.
  • CORPORATE AND BUSINESS LAW:
  • Handled asset sale for a Chicago area hearing aid center to a larger company acquiring for rollup. In connection with the transaction completed post-closing coordination with client and accountant as to effecting release of tax-related stop order.
  • Represented successful die-cutting and ultrasonic bonding manufacturer in an equity sale transaction to P/E firm acquiring for rollup. In connection with the transaction, assisted with an F-Reorganization and directing the client and advisors in responding to technical due diligence issue raised by potential buyer.
  • Handled contemporaneous asset and real estate sale transactions for specialty packaging and shipping services provider. In connection with the asset transaction, assisted the seller with review and direction related to the buyer’s post-closing use of seller’s tax exemption certificate.
  • Represented industrial supplier of OEM-grade heavy truck accessories in an equity sale transaction to P/E firm acquiring for rollup. In connection with the transaction, assisted with an F-Reorganization and directing the client and advisors in responding to technical due diligence issue raised by buyer. Coordinated with seller’s foreign counsel related to the post-closing transfer of a Chinese subsidiary. Coordinated with the client related to the restructure of a mortgage to remove the company as a guarantor.
  • Provided advice on the formation of a technology company to minimize liability and provide for corporate governance of the newly formed entity.
  • DuPage County Bar Association
  • Kane County Bar Association
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society