Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

Re: Rules of Probate

Have your been taken for a ride, possibly. As heirs you are entitled to notice when the estate is opened. You may not be legatees. Children may be disinherited. A death certificate is not necesarily part of the file. Under Illinois law the will, if there was one, must be filed within 30 days of the death. Your Aunt must have hired an Illinois attorney if she is the executor. She could not do it long distance. You could call the Probate Clerk of the correct county and see how much information they would give you. Cook County probably will not give you much. Other counties probably more. If you really want information you are going to have to hire your own attorney in the proper county in Illinois.

Re: Rules of Probate

I don't know if you're being taken for a ride, but at a minimum something is slipping here. As an heir you should have received papers at the beginning -- even if it was a will cutting you out. Why do you say the final report date is 4/21? What information led to that?

If this is in Cook County, I can try to look up the case file when I'm in the courthouse. If you have court papers with the case number, send me that or at least the name and approximate death.

If elsewhere in Illinois, call the clerk of the probate court of the county of residence.

Do not delay any further.