For more than two decades, Natalie Perry has advised clients on strategies for achieving tax-efficient estate planning and income tax planning. She focuses her practice on advising high-net-worth individuals and their families on how to structure their estate plans creatively to accomplish their goals for the transfer of their wealth.
As part of the process, Natalie helps educate clients on the importance of planning and the nuances of implementing the technique. As a registered certified public accountant (CPA) , Natalie brings a deep understanding of the complex and ever-changing tax laws her clients face.
As an extension of her deep concentration in estate planning, Natalie also has experience crafting settlements to resolve trust disputes and representing trustees and beneficiaries in contested proceedings, including through mediation. She also advises trustees, executors, and beneficiaries in trust and probate administration, including handling IRS audits.
Natalie started her career as a CPA before attending law school. For several years, she advised closely held businesses as tax consultant for a large public accounting firm.
Natalie is a frequent speaker at professional education events for attorneys and accountants. Natalie was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) in 2016. Her election to ACTEC was based on her outstanding reputation, exceptional skill, and substantial contributions to the estate planning community through lecturing, writing, teaching, and participating in bar activities. She is currently chair of the Communications Committee and an active member of the Business Planning Committee for ACTEC.
Natalie is also a member of the board of directors of the Chicago Estate Planning Council. From 2018 through 2019, Natalie was Chairperson for the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation.
In her free time, Natalie enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband Bill, two adult daughters, Maddie and Rachel, and their two dogs and cat. She belongs to a Cross Fit gym in Elmhurst and loves doing yoga.
Co-Presenter, “Administering Single Asset Trusts,” ALI-CLE Representing Estate & trust Beneficiaries and Fiduciaries 2025 Live Webcast (March 2025)
Co-Presenter, “Agree Not to Disagree with Buy-Sell Agreements After Connelly,” ACTEC 2025 Annual Meeting (March 2025)
Co-Presenter, “Business as Usual? Buy-Sell Agreements, Life Insurance and Business Valuation After Connelly,” Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning Conference (January 2025)
Co-presenter, “Representing Estate and Trust Beneficiaries and Fiduciaries,” ALI-CLE webinar (April 2024)
“Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later,” Northwest Suburban Estate Planning Council (September 2023)
“Valuation Issues in Estate Planning;” “Speed Round-SECURE in Small Bites;”
“What to do when a client dies? A consolidated case study,” AICPA Engage Conference (June 2023)
“Preparing to Practice Law & Technology in the Practice,” DePaul University College of Law, Law Student Seminar (February 2022)
“Modifying Irrevocable Trusts to Maximize Flexibility,” Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, Elder Law Conference (September 2021)
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Florida
Illinois
DePaul University College of Law, J.D.
Indiana University, B.S.
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Member of Estate Planning Committee for Engage Conference (2020-present)
American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel, Chair of Communications Committee, 2023 to present; Tax Policy Committee, Grantor Trust Rules study and Business Planning Committee (2019 – 2020)
Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, Board Chair (2018 – 2019)
Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, Board Member (2016 – 2017)
Illinois CPA Society, Estate and Gift Tax Committee (2016 – 2019)
Chicago Estate Planning Council (2007 – 2011; 2017 – present)
Chicago Bar Foundation, Volunteer – Adoption Assistance Program (1997 – 1999)
Fellow, American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel (March 2016 – present)
Illinois Super Lawyers (2020-present)
Natalie M. Perry, Chicago Partner and ACTEC Fellow, recently presented at the American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (ALI CLE)’s Non-Grantor Trust Program in a webcast titled “Navigating Non-Grantor Trusts: Strategies for Your Estate Plan.”
Elizabeth A. Garlovsky has been appointed Membership Recruitment Director for the state of Illinois by the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). In this esteemed role, Elizabeth will oversee key responsibilities related to membership recruitment, including strategic planning, outreach, relationship development, and collaboration across internal and external networks.
Chicago Partner, Jonathan E. Strouse was named in the Inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Tax Lawyers. This guide recognizes the top global tax attorneys based
