Best Probate Attorneys in Oak Lawn, IL

What Happens if I Die Without a Will in Illinois? The Importance of Estate Planning. Estate planning is a crucial part of securing your assets and ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of after you pass away. Unfortunately, many individuals do not take the time to plan for the inevitable, leaving their families with complex legal issues to navigate. In Illinois, dying without a will can be especially tricky, as there are specific laws governing the distribution of assets and the appointment of guardianship. In this blog post, we will explore what happens if you die without a will in Illinois and the importance of estate planning to avoid any potential confusion. If you die without a will in Illinois, your assets will be distributed according to the state's intestacy laws. Intestacy refers to the process of distributing assets when someone dies without a valid will. The court will appoint an executor to manage your estate, and your assets will be distributed to your legal heirs. In Illinois, if you pass away without a will and have a surviving spouse, your spouse will receive half of your estate, while the other half will be split between your children. If you do not have any children but a surviving spouse, then your spouse will inherit everything. If you do not have a surviving spouse but have children, your children will inherit everything. If you do not have a spouse or children, then your assets will go to your closest living relatives.