Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

The answer to your question depends on whether a probate estate has been opened (a court proceeding to administer the estate has been started). Next, are there issues involved with settling the estate (challenge to the will, notice to beneficiaries, heirship disputes, claims and payment of creditors, etc.)

There are a number of deadline/cut-off dates involved with estates and the persons involved.

There is a 9 month period in which to file the Estate tax return if the person's estate was valued at over $5,250,000 in 2013 ($4,000,000 in Illinois).