Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

Will

My Mother In Law Just died and we can not find her will she did have one, but it can not be found. Are legal wills on file anywhere, the lawyer who drew it up many years ago is deceased.


Asked on 3/08/09, 12:59 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Gregory Turza Law Offices of Gregory P Turza

Re: Will

My only suggestion in addition to Mr. Gottlieb's is to find out what was done with the deceased attorney's estate. Perhaps another attorney took over his practice and has possession of old files in storage. You could luck out.

On the other hand, do you really want the will? Your husband is an heir. Intestacy may be to your advantage.

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Answered on 3/09/09, 12:49 am
Jeffrey R. Gottlieb Law Offices of Jeffrey R. Gottlieb, LLC

Re: Will

No. Wills are private documents until a person dies. A person's Will would be (hopefully) located wherever they've chosen to place it. Some typical places would include a safe deposit box, a home safe, a file cabinet or file drawers. If a Will still cannot be found after exhaustive search, then a family would typically proceed with an intestate estate on the basis that there is no Will.

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Answered on 3/08/09, 1:34 am


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