What to Include When Filing a One-Year (Family) Allowance Petition in Illinois
Filing a One-Year (Family) Allowance Petition in Illinois: What to Include Detailed Answer This article explains what to include when you file a petition for a one-year allowance (often called a "family allowance" or "year's allowance") under Illinois probate law. This is a plain-language guide for someone with no prior legal experience. It explains who […]
Read article →Step-by-Step Guide to Handling a Parent's Estate in Illinois
Detailed Answer If your mother was an Illinois resident at her death, you will usually follow Illinois probate rules to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute property. Below is a clear, step-by-step explanation of the common tasks you will need to handle and where to look for more information under Illinois law. 1. Immediate practical […]
Read article →Switching to a Small‑Estate Process in Illinois When a Family (Year’s) Allowance Uses Estate Funds
Can I switch to a small‑estate process in Illinois if a family (year’s) allowance has used up estate money? This FAQ explains how Illinois probate law treats small‑estate procedures and family (year’s) allowance claims, and the practical steps to take if estate funds are low. This is educational information only and not legal advice. Detailed […]
Read article →Illinois — Paying Back Taxes on Inherited Land When You Are Not on the Deed: What Happens
Overview If you paid back property taxes on land you inherited but your name does not appear on the deed, you probably wonder whether that payment made you an owner or gave you any legal priority. The short answer: paying the taxes alone does not automatically make you the owner. However, your payment can create […]
Read article →Illinois: How to Find the Rightful Heirs and Determine Who Owns Property After a Grandparent Dies
Detailed Answer Short overview: When a grandparent dies, ownership of their real property and the identity of the rightful heirs depend on whether the grandparent left a valid will or used a method that transfers title outside probate (for example, joint tenancy, a trust, or a transfer-on-death designation). If the grandparent died without a will, […]
Read article →Illinois: How to Ask the Court to Reconsider Letters of Administration and Remove an Administrator
Can the court reconsider letters of administration and remove the administrator so I, the sole heir, can be appointed? Short answer: Yes — under Illinois law you can ask the probate court to revoke or remove letters of administration and to appoint a different representative, but you must follow court procedure, show valid legal grounds, […]
Read article →Illinois: Challenging an Administrator Who Closed a Joint Bank Account
Overview This article explains, in plain language, what to do if a personal representative or administrator closed a deceased person's joint bank account without notifying heirs or other interested persons. It describes how ownership of joint accounts typically works in Illinois, what documents and evidence to collect, and the court remedies available in the Illinois […]
Read article →Illinois: How to Review and Correct Missing or Incorrect Probate Filings in a Parent’s Estate
How to review and correct missing or incorrect probate filings in an Illinois estate Detailed answer — what to do first and why it matters If you believe filings in your father’s Illinois probate case are missing or wrong, act methodically. Probate is a court-supervised process. The estate’s file in the probate court contains the […]
Read article →Illinois: How to Fix Errors in Probate Paperwork (Wrong Siblings Listed)
Correcting Errors in Illinois Probate Records Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Illinois law and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Illinois attorney about your specific situation. Detailed Answer If someone lists the wrong siblings or other heirs in probate paperwork in Illinois, you can usually fix the record by asking the probate […]
Read article →Illinois: Challenging a Grandparent’s Appointment as Estate Administrator — FAQ
Detailed Answer Short overview: If someone (for example, your grandparent) has been appointed by an Illinois probate court to act as an estate administrator (also called a personal representative), interested persons can object to that appointment or seek the person’s removal. You should act quickly, collect evidence, and follow Illinois probate procedure. The Illinois Probate […]
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