Care that Comes from Being There

Hello,

I'm Kate. I chose to launch the Law Office of Kate Curler after my experience as a caregiver for my own parents. I wanted to give seniors and their families the support and resources I wish I had had. We take a different, holistic approach that focuses on quality of life and emotional support with the goal of advocating for seniors to allow them to live independently as long as possible.

I’m proud that we live that mission every day.

We are located at:

The Law Offices of Kate Curler
323 E. Wacker, Suite 238
Chicago, IL 60601 

Email Kate - kcurler@curlerlaw.com

Call Kate - (312) 952-1077

My Story

I began my legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Lake County, Illinois, prosecuting criminals and advocating for victims of domestic violence.  Later, I worked for 6 years at top Chicago family law firms. As I evolved professionally and intellectually, I kept being drawn back emotionally and physically to Michigan, where I acted as the caregiver and advocate for my sick parents.

As an only child and primary caregiver for my mother and father, I experienced firsthand the frustrations of dealing with insurance companies who refused to help pay for my mother, Deborah's rehabilitation. When my father, Ronald Curler, was critically ill, I had to go through the decision to sign a DNR so he would not be resuscitated needlessly. When my mother was subjected to bad care at a nursing home, I hired supplemental care for her and was able to get her moved back home. Because of my advocacy, my mom went on to receive the best care, was fully rehabilitated twice from illnesses, and was able to live at home until the end of her life.

After losing my mother in 2012, I launched my own Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate and Guardianship practice, with a vision to provide this same fighting spirit to my clients. Based on these personal experiences and inspiration from my volunteer work, I soon expanded my services to include help with placement in senior living and nursing homes, nursing home and patient advocacy and Caregiver Coaching to help caregivers come up with a plan when facing the stresses of watching a loved one struggle with aging or disability. I coordinate plans for my clients with home care agencies, care managers, nurse advocates, senior move specialists, benefits specialists, insurance advocates, the best senior living facilities and nursing homes, and many other services in the field of aging.

My vision is to allow seniors to live independently as long as possible or, if they must reside in a nursing home, to maximize their assets, resources and access to benefit programs so they and their families make informed choices and have a voice in getting their loved one the best care possible.

Education

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. Upon graduation, I served as a volunteer family law paralegal through the Lutheran Volunteer Corps in the prisons and jails of Baltimore, fighting to keep families together. After completing that program, I moved to California and worked as a child support enforcement officer, prosecuting deadbeat dads and received my Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University, School of Law in 2002. During law school, I was at Oxford University in England for a semester, earning the highest grade possible for my legal course. I moved to Chicago in 2003, to be closer to my mother, Deborah Curler, who was beginning to struggle with illnesses from her Type 1 Diabetes.

Community Leadership/Volunteer Work

I'm a big advocate of giving back. I serve as a member of the Chicago Bar Association's Probate and Elder Law committees, the Illinois Bar Association’s Elder Law committee and am a volunteer attorney for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS), doing advocacy work for seniors. I am a current committee member and volunteer for Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, Chicago Chapter. I am also a supporter and former Board member for The Center for Law and Social Work, which does great work in the guardianship courts of Cook County, helping low income families stay together. Lastly, I am an active member of the Union League Club of Chicago, a Chicago club with a mission to promote patriotism, charitable work and cultural experiences for members and the community. At the Union League Club, I serve as Co-Chair of their Lawyers Group, on the Library Committee, on the Admissions Committee and earning Loyal Hearts Status for every year I have been a member.