Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

Re: heirs and legatees

A legatee is someone named as a beneficiary in the will. An heir is a relative of the decedent who would be entitled to share in the estate if there was no will. Of course, a perspn can be both an heir and a legatee. Both are entitled to notice of the opening of a probate estate and both have a time period in which to contest a will.