How to Make an Illinois Will

by Summers, Diana Brodman

• ISBN13: 9781572481701
• ISBN10: 1572481706
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Summary

How to Make an Illinois Will explains Illinois law regarding wills and joint property and includes ready-to-use forms. It will show you how to quickly, easily and inexpensively set up the distribution of your estate.

Author Biography

Diana Brodman Summers received her J.D. from DePaul College of Law, Chicago, Illinois. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She is an arbitrator for Cook and DuPage counties. Ms. Summers currently has her own law firm in Lisle, Illinois Mark Warda received his J.D. from the University of Illinois in Champaign. He practiced law in Clearwater, Florida

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books	ix
Introduction	xiii
General Considerations	1	(6)
Preparing To Make a Will
Using an Attorney
The Law
Sources of Information
Knowing the Basic Rules	7	(16)
Wills Defined
How a Will Is Used
Joint Tenancy and Probate
Joint Tenancy and Your Will
Joint Tenancy and Risks
``Tenancy in Common'' and Probate
Your Spouse
A Spouse's Share
I/T/F Bank Accounts versus Joint Ownership
Securities Registered as I/T/F
Wills and Your Homestead
Exceptions
Marriage and Your Will
Divorce and Your Will
Children and Your Will
Your Debts
Estate and Inheritance Taxes
Annual Exclusion
Deciding if you Need an Illinois Will	23	(6)
What a Will Can Do
If You Have No Will
Out-of State Wills
What a Will Cannot Do
Using a Simple Will
Who Should Not Use a Simple Will
Understanding Probate	29	(4)
Opening an Estate
Personal Representative
Making a Simple Will	33	(12)
Parties in Your Will
Specific Bequests
Remainder Clause
Alternate Beneficiaries
Survivorship
Guardianship
Children's Trust
Executors
Witnesses
Self Proving Affidavit
Disinheriting Someone
Funeral Arrangements
Forms
Cautions
Executing Your Will	45	(2)
Procedure
Self-Proving Affidavit
After Signing Your Will	47	(2)
Storing Your Will
Revoking Your Will
Updating Your Will
Making an Advance Directive: The Living Will	49	(4)
Making an Advance Directive: The Health Care Power of Attorney	53	(4)
Health Care Power of Attorney
If You Do Nothing
Making a Property Power of Attorney	57	(2)
Making Anatomical Gifts	59	(2)
Understanding Trusts	61	(4)
Land Trust
Living Trust
Other Trusts
Insurance
Going Beyond Your Will	65	(2)
Glossary	67	(6)
Appendix A: Sample Filled-in Forms	73	(18)
Appendix B: Blank Forms	91	(74)
Index	165