This handbook encompasses the areas of primary concern in estate administration. It covers the initial steps in advising the family; opening the probate estate and alternatives to probate; counseling the personal representative, marshalling assets, and inventory; considerations in advising the fiduciary after death; claims against the estate; managing the decedent’s personal and real property; handling charitable bequests and trusts; planning for death benefits from life insurance and retirement arrangements; accounting, reporting, and distribution; ancillary administration; the effective use of disclaimers; and attorneys’ and representatives’ fees. It includes sample language and forms to assist during the various steps of administration.
Chapter 1 — Initial Steps in Advising the Family
Thomas G. Hamill, Harrison & Held, LLP, Springfield, and Sarah M. Barnes, Harrison & Held, LLP, Chicago
Chapter 2 — Opening the Probate Estate and Alternatives to Probate
Elizabeth A. Garlovsky and Sarah M. Barnes, Harrison & Held, LLP, Chicago
Chapter 3 — Counseling the Personal Representative, Marshaling Assets, and Inventory
Stacy E. Singer, The Northern Trust Company, Chicago
Chapter 4 — Consideration in Advising the Fiduciary After Death
David M. Lutrey and Carrie A. Zuniga, Lesser Lutrey Pasquesi & Howe LLP, Lake Forest
Chapter 5 — Claims Against the Estate
Gina E. Oderda, Cresset Capital, Mary C. Downie, The Northern Trust Company, and MacKenzie A. Hyde, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
Chapter 6 — Managing Decedent’s Personal and Real Property
Lorraine K. Cavataio and Joshua B. Hutkins, Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C., O’Fallon
Chapter 7 — Handling Charitable Bequests and Charitable Trusts
Jennifer A. Johnson, Huck Bouma PC, Wheaton
Chapter 8 — Planning for Death Benefits from Life Insurance and Retirement Arrangements
Patricia A. Hoke, Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes & Hoke, LLP, Carbondale
Chapter 9 — Account, Report, and Distribution
David M. Lutrey, Lesser Lutrey Pasquesi & Howe LLP, Lake Forest
Chapter 10 — Ancillary Administration
Thomas F. Hartzell, Tucker, Hartzell & Bryant, Carthage
Chapter 11 — The Effective Use of Disclaimers in Estate Administration
Elisha D. Sanders and Casey L. Twomey, Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes & Hoke, LLP, Carbondale
Chapter 12 — Attorneys’ and Representatives’ Fees
Nicholas R. Houska, Wood, DeVary & Armstrong, P.C., Bloomington
