PRE-ORDER
Colleen Sahlas, an Illinois probate attorney since 2000, serves as General Editor and author and leads an impressive collection of attorneys detailing a practical approach to all aspects of independent administration of decedents’ estates in the Illinois probate process. This go-to guide covers everything involved in probate from the initial contact with a potential client through closing probate while discussing complications that may arise for the attorney both in the courts and in representing grief-stricken clients.
With the help of this manual, new probate attorneys will hit the ground running, and experienced attorneys can streamline their probate practices. Attorneys new to probate will appreciate the definitions of all probate-related terminology and step-by-step directions while more seasoned attorneys will find helpful the time-saving checklists and practice tips. An appendix with over 50 entries will also prove invaluable to attorneys by providing editable forms, including several examples of Affidavits of Heirship, a Small Estate Affidavit, a Petition for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs, and an Order to Reopen the Estate. Also included are wide-ranging charts; timelines, including comprehensive timelines for testate and intestate matters; and sample letters.
General Editor:
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 1 — Probate Fundamentals and Terminology
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 2 — Which Assets Are Governed by Probate
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 3 — Meeting with the Petitioner
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 4 — Alternatives to Probate (and Assessing Whether or Not To Probate)
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 5 — Anatomical Gifts and Disposition of Remains
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 6 — Anatomy of a Will — Filing and Admitting a Will to Probate
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook, and J. Amber Drew, Clingen Callow & McLean, LLC,Lisle
Chapter 7 — Electronic and Other Nontraditional Wills
Raymond W. Prather, Prather Ebner Wilson LLP, Chicago
Chapter 8 — Identifying Heirs, Legatees, and Who Is Entitled To Inherit
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 9 — Minors and Disabled Persons as Heirs or Legatees
Caroline E. Hecht, Buckley Fine, LLC, Barrington
Chapter 10 — Disclaimers
Lawrence J. Gregory, Estate & Business Law Group, P.C., Libertyville, and Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 11 — Opening Probate
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 12 — Notifying Interested Parties
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 13 — Will Contests and Formal Proof of Will
MacKenzie A. Hyde and Ray J. Koenig III, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
Chapter 14 — Renunciation of Will and Lost Wills
J. Amber Drew, Clingen Callow & McLean, LLC, Lisle, and Robert S. Held, Held Law Offices, Chicago
Chapter 15 — Advising the Representative — Fiduciary Powers, Duties, and Tasks
Amy J. Delaney, DDV Law LTD., Chicago, Makedonka Baloski, DDV Law LTD., Oak Brook, and, Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 16 — Decedent’s Estate Expenses and Creditors’ Claims
Part 1: Overview and the Practical Side of Creditor Claims:
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook, and Sherwin Abrams, Abrams & Chapman, Chicago
Part 2: Summary of Creditor Claims:
MacKenzie A. Hyde and Ray J. Koenig III, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
Part 3: Medicaid Claims Against Decedent’s Estate: A Primer:
Leonard F. Berg, Godfrey
Chapter 17 — Marshaling Assets
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 18 — Recovery of Property and Citations To Discover
Ray J. Koenig III, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago, and Priscilla Singer, Singer Law LLC, Chicago
Chapter 19 — Tax Returns and Liability
Part 1: Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Part 2: Lawrence J. Gregory, Estate & Business Law Group, P.C., Libertyville
Chapter 20 — Death, Resignation, Removal, or Revocation of Letters of Office and Termination of Independent Administration
Part 1: Robert S. Held, Held Law Offices, Chicago
Part 2: Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 21 — Accounting, Receipts, and Distributions; Representative’s Compensation and Preparing To Close Probate
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 22 — Distribution of Wrongful-Death and Survival Settlements in Probate Court
Steven A. Wade, Anesi Ozmon, Ltd., Chicago
Chapter 23 — Reopening Probate
Colleen L. Sahlas, The Law Offices of Hoy & Sahlas, LLC, Oak Brook
Chapter 24 — Ethical Considerations in Probate Cases
Melissa A. Maye, Fairchild Price Haley & Smith L.L.P., Nacogdoches, TX
Chapter 25 — Appendix