http://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois#/media/File:Flag_of_Illinois.svg
1. a. If there is a surviving spouse and also a descendant of the decedent which also means an issue, 1/2 half of the entire estate goes to the surviving spouse and 1/2 half to the decedent’s descendants per stirpes. 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/2-1
This is different than New York law because in New York law, if the decendent is survived by a spouse and a issue, the first fifty thousand dollars goes to the surviving spouse and the one half of the residue to to the spouse, and then the balance goes to the issue by representation.
b. If the decedent is survived by a spouse and no issue the entire estate goes to the surviving spouse. 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/2-1
This is the same as New York law because also in New York law the entire estate goes to the surviving spouse.
c. If there is no surviving spouse or descendant the estate passes to a parent, brother, sister or descendant of a brother or sister of the decedent the entire estate to the parents, brothers and sisters of the decedent in equal parts, if one of the parents is dead the surviving parents gets double and then the rest to descendants of a deceased brother or sister per stirpes the portion which the deceased brother or sister would have taken if living. 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/2-1
New York law is different the surviving parent gets all the entire estate first and then if there is no living parents then the estate passes to the issues of the parents.
2. The age of testamentary capacity is any person who has attained the age of 18 years and is of sound mind and memory has the power to pass on things in his/her estate. 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/4-1
The New York law is the same for testamentary capacity.
3. Every Will should be in writing and signed by the testator and by 2 or more credible witnesses in the testators presence. 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/4-3
The New York law is the same for testamentary capacity.
4. Chicago is the city in the state of Illinois with the largest population.
The law firm is called Kaufman Law Group LLC and its ad says TRUSTED PROBATED LAWYERS and I thought that was clever, and they have a picture of a elderly couple which seems nice and also like they are trying to target one type of cliental.
The website looks very well managed and handled. Its easy to navigate and has a lot of different social media outlets where you can learn more information on the company. It has client reviews and youtube video, which I was not expecting. They also handle more than just real estate appraising.
6. Cook County Probate Division. 50 W Washington St # 1202, Chicago, IL 60602.
This a Picture outside of the court house. It’s Picasso’s Lion Sculpture!
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY of CHICAGO, it has both a Associate and a Baccalaureate program in Paralegal studies and is ABA approved. It cost more than City Tech, it is about $630 a credit a semester and the minimum required credits that can be taken a semester is 15 so that is about $18,900 a year.
The description of their Estates, Trusts and Wills Course:
PLST 355 Estates, Trusts & Wills. This course introduces basic principles of estate and trust administration. The emphasis is on the practical aspects of administration of estates and trusts for the paralegal. Probate proceedings in Illinois will be covered, including the preparation of probate court pleadings, inventories, collection and valuation of assets, distribution of assets to beneficiaries, and accountings. An overview of tax considerations will be provided. If time allows, guardianships for disabled adults will be discussed.
