Search probate guides, practical articles, and estate settlement resources.1563 in-depth guides • 105 blog posts
Illinois taxes estates over $4,000,000 under 35 ILCS 405/, and that exclusion is not indexed and not portable. The 2026 federal exclusion is $15 million.
Illinois executor bond: an individual representative files an oath and a court-approved bond under 755 ILCS 5/12-2 unless the will excuses security.
Illinois guardianship runs in two tracks: adults with a disability under Article XIa and minors under Article XI, plus how a power of attorney avoids court.
Illinois healthcare directive rules: a health care power of attorney (one witness), a living will (two witnesses), the surrogate priority list, and IDPH POLST.
How an Illinois pet trust works under 760 ILCS 3/408: naming the animals, a caregiver, a trustee, and an enforcer, funding it, and where leftover money goes.
How an Illinois power of attorney for property works: durable by default, signed with one witness and a notary, a springing option, and it ends at death.
Illinois probate accounting: the verified 60-day inventory under 755 ILCS 5/14-1, the 24-1 court account, and the 28-11 closing report that ends an estate.
Illinois probate without a lawyer fits the $150,000 small estate affidavit. A full estate runs into the Attorney Act and county attorney-of-record practice.
Illinois revocable living trust: how the Illinois Trust Code creates one, why 760 ILCS 3/602 demands express revocability, funding, and the pour-over will.
Illinois step-up in basis resets inherited property to its date-of-death value under IRC 1014. Illinois has no inheritance tax, but has its own estate tax.
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