Legal Question in Elder Law in Illinois

My mother is 87 years old. She is of sound mind right now but her health is failing and of course at her age anything can happen. My sister is the executor of the will. When she passes on, there will be no fights about money or anything because my sister and I will be taking care of a brother and if there is any money (she doesn't have much) we will be using it to take care of him. At this time everything is in mom's name. I told my sister that I thought it would be better if mom changes her checks/accounts etc. to read my sister's name OR mom's name so there is no problem later. We did this when my mother in law started developing signs of alzheimers and it made things so much easier. Do you think this is the right thing to do? Is there anything else I should know about to help us with her estate when the time comes?


Asked on 1/06/10, 5:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gregory Turza Law Offices of Gregory P Turza

No it isn't. It is very important for your mother to affirmatively express the intension to give to her son only and put you in charge of the money. Otherwise, you are just asking for a court fight after she is gone if you just make an 11th hour attempt to put her assets in joint tenancy with you. She is still of sound mind. Take advantage of that.

www.legacylaws.com

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Answered on 1/11/10, 5:58 pm


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