Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

If you are concerned about your mom, you should be, because we can't advise her if you're asking the questions. As named executor she has legal obligations under Illinois law. Among other things, to file the will in court, open a probate estate if needed, gather estate assets, etc. If she doesn't and any creditor (like a funeral home or hospital) gets stiffed good enough, the creditor can open an estate and make things difficult. The best thing to do, and really as she is an adult the only thing you can do, is suggest that she goes to a probate attorney to make sure she's handling things right. Then again, she may be taking care of things and the will may have given her the power to divide personal property as she saw fit between her and her sister. Nice and mean may be irrelevant. Be careful how you approach your mom though; this is her business and not yours unless you were also named as a beneficiary of granddad's estate. Good luck.