Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

If your father and Barbara live in Ohio, you should post this question to Ohio attorneys, not Illinois attorneys. If they live in Illinois, then your interests must be handled very delicately. Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this further. I won't charge for an introductory phone call.

Right now it doesn't really matter. A will only takes effect after it is probated and for that to happen your father has to die. A will is probated in the state where the testator dies unless there is real property in question, in which case that portion of the will is probated in the state where the property is located. My advice is to discuss your situation with an estate lawyer in Ohio since that is where your father is located at the moment.

This is Ohio law. But, as a general rule, if the accounts are joint with his spouse listed as the joint tenant, the accounts will go to the spouse on his death, and vice versa. P.O.D. may be accurate but payable on death to whom is the real question. Keep in mind though, it is your father's decision.

Yes, you are in trouble. But the person you need to speak to is your father, not his gold digging bitch wife. You have no power to make offers. It belongs to your father. Talk to him.