Category Archives: Illinois Probate Attorneys

Understanding Your Role as Executor

When a friend or a loved one asks you to serve as the executor of their estate, you may be inclined to immediately agree, due to the nature of your relationship with that person. However, you may really understand what your duties may entail until the time comes to fulfill the role, whether you are prepared or not. An experienced probate law attorney can help you learnContinue reading

A No-Contest Clause May Prevent Will Disputes

When a loved one dies, it can very difficult on the surviving friends and family members. The intense emotions of dealing with the loss can often make a grieving family member act in ways that would be otherwise uncharacteristic, leading to serious disputes over a variety of matters. A common point of contention is the deceased person’s will, and serious battles can affect the stability ofContinue reading

Remember to Amend Your Will after Divorce

Do you have a plan for your property and assets in the event of your death? Will your estate be divided among several different beneficiaries, or will most—or all—of it be inherited by your spouse? For many people, leaving everything to their spouse seems like the most logical choice, and in large number of cases, that might be true. But what happens in the eventContinue reading

Grounds for Contesting a Will

When a loved one has died, the emotional strain on you and your family can be nearly overwhelming. Depending on your relationship to the deceased, you may be responsible for making funeral arrangements, notifying distant relatives, and any number of other necessary considerations. You may not even give any thought to your loved one’s will until well after his or her death. When you finallyContinue reading

Standby Guardian of a Minor Child under the Illinois Probate Act

If you have children, you have undoubtedly begun to realize how unpredictable life can be. From simple, day-to-day events, to major, sometimes catastrophic occurrences, there is just no way to plan for every possible eventuality. As a measure of security, some parents, however, take a more proactive approach, in consideration that they may not always be able to properly care for their children. This couldContinue reading

Understanding Intestate Succession

As many Americans begin to approach retirement age and beyond, estate planning starts to become more evidently important. If you are like most people, you have worked hard for the assets and property that you have accumulated and you would like to know that it will be properly allocated and cared for upon your death. It may be easy to simply assume that there mustContinue reading

Choosing the Right Executor for Your Estate

For many people, it can be very daunting to make decisions related to estate planning. Very few are completely discussing matters that involve acknowledging that they will not live forever. Death, however, is a reality and a person who is not financially prepared for his or death often creates additional difficulties for family members and loved ones. Among the most important decisions you must makeContinue reading

What Happens to Digital Assets after Death?

Many people make arrangements for their property and assets for when they die. This is usually done through wills and/or trusts. However, over the past several years, more and more people are trying to figure out what they should do with their digital assets. An individual’s digital assets typically include email accounts, online music or photo libraries, and social media accounts on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, orContinue reading