Best Probate Lawyers in Peoria

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Peoria, Illinois?

  Call the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521 for non-emergencies.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Peoria, Illinois?

  Visit he Peoria Police Department Records Unit at 600 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602 for police report copy requests,

• What are the similarities and differences between an executor and an administrator in Peoria probate law?

  Under the probate laws which apply in Peoria, administrators handle the affairs of an estate whenever decedents die without a will and are named by the court. On the other hand, executors are named by testators in a will. Both persons have the job of determining the extent of the departed's assets, paying off the outstanding obligations, and finally releasing the respective shares to the heirs.

• What are the standard methods of minimizing the strain of probate in Peoria?

  The standard methods of minimizing probate stress in Peoria are part of a process called estate planning. This includes the institution of trusts, joint ownerships, durable powers of attorney, life insurance policies with separate beneficiaries other than the estate, and wills. The goal is to minimize the number of assets solely owned by the testator upon death because co-owned properties transfer without probate.

• If an adopted child retains the same rights as a biological child in Peoria, why is it still preferable to leave behind a will instead of leaving everything to the intestate court?

  While the law in Peoria treats adopted children the same as biological children when it comes to inheritance without a will, the testator may have multiple assets domiciled in several jurisdictions. The rules in each jurisdiction may differ as to the inheritance rights of the adopted, in some cases treating them on unequal footing with biological offspring. It is preferable to remove all uncertainties with a will.

• Why is it preferable to have a will when someone in Peoria has stepkids?

  It is best to have a will in Peoria to protect the inheritance interests of stepchildren. By the laws governing intestate succession, stepchildren do not have a share in the decedent's estate unless they were formally adopted. Should the testator wish to leave the stepchildren a legacy but not familial status, a will is the most expeditious way to achieve this goal.

• If the testator's 14-year-old daughter made an attempt on the former's life, how may the offspring be disinherited in Peoria?

  The daughter may be disinherited in Peoria, but she has to reach the age of 18 first. It is not legal to remove an offspring from succession while still a minor. Upon reaching adulthood, a statement of disinheritance is placed on the will and this is an overt statement that the named child should get nothing. No reason needs to be stated for the parent's decision.