Woods & Bates

At Woods & Bates, P.C., we pride ourselves on being the preeminent rural law firm in Central Illinois. We focus our practice on estate and trust administration, estate planning, and real estate matters, providing a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Our attorneys have decades of experience and understand the importance of providing personalized, compassionate legal representation.

Our firm was founded in 1972 by William C. Bates, Jr. and Robert J. Woods. Over the years, we have expanded our practice by acquiring Harris & Harris in 2012, Culbertson & Allen, LLC in 2019, and Phillip M. Kirby Law Office in 2021. Today, we operate out of three office locations in Central Illinois, ensuring that our clients have easy access to our services.

Our team of skilled attorneys includes William Blinn Bates, Jr., Michael Fleshman, Brett J. Green, and William B. Bates. Each attorney brings their unique expertise and experience to provide our clients with the best possible outcomes. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality legal representation and strive to build long-lasting relationships with our clients.

At Woods & Bates, P.C., we believe in the importance of flexibility in legal services. That's why we offer both virtual consultations and in-person meetings to accommodate our clients' preferences and ensure a personalized experience. We understand that navigating legal issues can be emotionally taxing, and we are committed to guiding our clients through the process with professionalism, integrity, and compassion.

Mission and Values

Our mission is to be a firm that gives purpose to employees, provides high-quality representation to appreciative clients, and creates meaningful contributions to the communities we serve. We believe in the following core values:

• Courage: Stand up for what we believe in and be brave in the face of all circumstances.
• Wisdom: Never stop learning and stay up to date on current legal trends and decisions.
• Integrity: Be true to your word and do what you say you will do. Expect integrity in return in the form of payment for services rendered.
• High Ambition: Be content, but never satisfied. Abhor laziness.
• Self-Control: Do not let others dictate the way we act. Maintaining a calm and clear mind helps to make wise decisions.
• Courtesy: Be kind in all interactions with others.
• Responsiveness: Respond to all client contacts within 24 hours.

Practice Areas

We offer a variety of legal services across several practice areas, including:

• Elder Law: We help clients navigate the complex legal issues associated with aging, including Medicaid planning, guardianship, and long-term care planning.
• Estate Planning: Our attorneys assist clients in creating a comprehensive estate plan that meets their unique needs and goals, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
• Real Estate: We provide legal representation for clients buying or selling real estate, including residential and commercial properties, and handle issues related to property disputes and title issues.

At Woods & Bates, P.C., we are dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients and contributing positively to the communities we serve. If you have any legal needs or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.