Shawn M. McCullough
Partner, CPA | Chicago, IL
Shawn McCullough advises clients on tax-smart estate plans and seamless trust administration, helping them to plan today for peace of mind tomorrow.
Shawn McCullough is dedicated to helping his clients protect their loved ones and safeguard their wealth, focusing his practice on estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Guiding clients with clarity and care, Shawn makes complicated processes feel manageable. He partners with individuals and families to design tailored estate plans that reflect their values and minimize tax burdens, ensuring their wishes are honored for generations to come.
Before becoming an attorney, Shawn built a successful career as a CPA, advising clients on tax compliance, financial reporting, fiduciary accountings, and IRS representation. This deep accounting background equips him to navigate sophisticated transfer tax strategies and prepare gift and estate tax returns with precision.
Respected in his field, Shawn is an active member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. He is also committed to serving his community in his role as Vice Chair of the Board for The Admiral at the Lake Foundation.
When he’s not guiding clients through life’s important transitions, Shawn can be found exploring new hiking trails, biking along the lakefront, traveling, and enjoying time with his family.
Capabilities
Charitable Planned Giving
Estate Planning
Estate & Trust Administration
Family Business Advice
Tax Planning
Speeches & Publications
Artificial Intelligence, Authentic Counsel: Navigating AI-Savvy Clients in Estate Planning,” Lake County Bar Association – Trusts & Estates Seminar (November 2026)
“Ch. 2, Administration of Trusts and Estates,” Co-Author, Postmortem Estate Planning 2026 Edition (IICLE, 2026)
“Recent Illinois Developments,” Co-presenter, Chicago Bar Association – Trust Law Committee (September 2026)
"Tips From the Pros: Reacting to a Client’s Use of AI Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry," Co-Author, Wealthmanagement Trusts and Estates Magazine (July 2026)
"Trust Administration and Income Tax Reporting," Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) Estate Planning Short Course (May 2026)
“Selecting a Marital Funding Formula,” Presenter, Chicago Estate Planning Council – Fundamentals of Estate Planning Program (February 2026)
“Relationship Between Forms 709, 706 and 1041,” Co-presenter, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE)– Gift & Estate Tax Workshop: Forms 709, 706 & 8971 (November 2025)
“Grandma Died. Now What? (From a Federal Tax Standpoint),” Co-presenter, American Bar Association – 2025 Fall Tax Meeting (October 2025)
“Recent Illinois Developments,” Co-presenter, Chicago Bar Association – Trust Law Committee (September 2025)
“Ch. 10, Tax Issues,” Limited Liability Companies (IICLE, 2025)
“Planning with Powers of Appointment and Disclaimers,” Presenter, Chicago Estate Planning Council (May 2025)
“Basis Planning: Maximizing Tax Efficiency for Estates and Transfers,” IICLE Estate Planning Short Course (May 2025)
Click here for full list.
Representative Matters
Protecting Young Families Through Comprehensive Estate Planning Design foundational estate plans for parents with minor children, including guardian nominations and protective trust structures that ensure children's financial security and care in unforeseen circumstances.
Preserving Generational Wealth Through Dynasty Trust Strategies Structure perpetual dynasty trusts that protect family assets across multiple generations while minimizing estate tax exposure, allowing families to build lasting legacies.
Maximizing Tax Benefits with Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) Help married couples leverage their lifetime gift and estate tax exemptions through strategic SLAT planning, preserving wealth while maintaining family access to assets.
Guiding Families Through Trust and Estate Administration Provide compassionate guidance to families navigating the complex administration process following a loved one's death, ensuring efficient settlement while minimizing stress during difficult times.
Developing Advanced Tax-Efficient Wealth Transfer Strategies Analyze complex estate tax implications and design sophisticated gifting strategies that help high-net-worth clients transfer wealth to future generations while minimizing tax burdens
Admissions
IllinoisEducation
Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D.
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, B.S.
Awards & Honors
Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) Speaker of the Year Award (2025)Organizations
Admiral at the Lake Foundation, Vice Chair
Hadley Philanthropy Advisory Council
Chicago Bar Association
Chicago Estate Planning Council
Illinois State Bar Association
ProVisors
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