When a Loved One Passes, Probate Can Feel Overwhelming
Along with grief come questions: Who has the authority to handle their accounts? What happens to the house? Do the bills get paid first? Illinois probate is the court process for answering those questions, and you don’t have to work through it alone.
How We Can Help
- Opening an estate. We help prepare and file the petition with the circuit court so a personal representative can be appointed and receive the legal authority to act for the estate.
- Guidance for executors and administrators. An executor is named in a will; an administrator is appointed when there is no will. Either way, the role comes with legal duties, such as gathering assets, notifying creditors, paying valid debts, and distributing what remains. We explain each step as it comes.
- Small estates. Some smaller estates may qualify for a simpler process, such as the Illinois small estate affidavit, instead of a full court case. We can review whether that option is available in your situation.
- Heirship. When someone dies without a will, Illinois law decides who inherits. We help families identify the heirs and present that information to the court.
Questions? Let’s Talk
Every estate is different, and timelines and requirements depend on the facts. Wator & Associates, P.C. assists families throughout Chicagoland with Illinois probate matters. Call our office at 773.407.2100 to talk with our team.
This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results depend on the facts of each case.