Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Attorneys

» Family farm could be a lasting legacy

If you grew up on a farm, nobody has to tell you a farm is a good thing. Chances are, memories of life on the farm are some of your most cherished, and you will never, never cease to feel its pull.

»  End of an Era?
The UBS escapade shows what smart taxpayers have known for a while: The offshore tax-dodging game isn't what it used to be.

» The Week's 5 Dumbest Stock Moves
Don't let stupid happen to you.

» Financial intermediaries drawn to equity funds

» Probate Checklist

One of my very long-range projects is creating a comprehensive, soup-to-nuts checklist for Illinois probate. This may be a stand-alone website with just my own content, or I may set it up as a wiki. Anyway, here is the rough outline of things I hope to cover, which can serve as a very rough checklist for Illinois probates:

1.0 Deal with funeral and related post-death matters (including anatomical gifts)

2.0 Find and file the Will, if any

3.0 Compile a list of the decedent’s assets and liabilities

4.0 Compile a list of the decedent’s heirs and (if there’s a Will) legatees

5.0 Determine who will be personal representative (executor or administrator)

6.0 Initiate a probate proceeding (if needed)

7.0 Deal with initial practical matters (forward mail, contact social security, etc.)

8.0 Collect property

9.0 Liquidate or otherwise manage property

10.0 Deal with claims, if any

11.0 Deal with litigation, if any

12.0 Pay taxes

13.0 Close the estate