How to Make an Illinois Will

by Summers, Diana Brodman; Warda, Mark

• ISBN13: 9781572480438
• ISBN10: 1572480432
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-10-01
• Publisher: Galt Pr

Summary

This book explains Illinois law regarding wills, guardianship of children and joint property. It includes a living will.

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	p. ix
Introduction	p. xiii
General Considerations	p. 1
Preparing to Make a Will
Using an Attorney
The Law
Sources of Information
Knowing the Basic Rules	p. 7
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	p. 23
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	p. 29
Opening an Estate
Personal Representative
Making a Simple Will	p. 33
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	p. 45
Procedure
Self-Proving Affidavit
After Signing Your Will	p. 47
Storing Your Will
Revoking Your Will
Updating Your Will
Making an Advance Directive: The Living Will	p. 49
Making an Advance Directive: The Health Care Power of Attorney	p. 53
Health Care Power of Attorney
If You Do Nothing
Making a Property Power of Attorney	p. 57
Making Anatomical Gifts	p. 59
Understanding Trusts	p. 61
Land Trust
Living Trust
Other Trusts
Insurance
Going Beyond Your Will	p. 65
Glossary	p. 67
Sample Filled-In Forms	p. 73
Blank Forms	p. 91
Index	p. 165
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