Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

Military retiree dies without a will.

What should wife do is husband (military retiree) dies without a will? Wife is Japanese and husband is U.S. citizen, they live in Japan, but have vacation home in Illinois. In Japan if husband dies with debts the wife is not liable for them, but what if husband is U.S. citizen? Bank will not disclose checking account info to wife because she is only listed on savings account - what can she do to get access to checking account? Because vacation home is in Illinois does wife have to follow Illinois law on death without will Any info you can provide will be helpful. Thank you.


Asked on 5/17/08, 9:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Zuganelis Zuganelis & Zuganelis, Attorneys at Law, P.C.

Re: Military retiree dies without a will.

Since the real property is in Illinois, the wife has to open a probate in the Illinois county the real property is located. As for banks, If it's in Japan, then it's covered by Japanese law.

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Answered on 5/19/08, 2:25 pm


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