Experienced Illinois Estate and Trust Attorneys |
The administration of an estate or trust takes place after death. At that time, the executor or trustee fulfills the wishes of the deceased individual as written in his or her estate plan, or in accordance with the Illinois statute if there was no will. Often an estate planning client’s family member or named executor will retain our law firm for Estate and Trust Administration services. Having a long-term relationship with the law office where the estate plan was done can make the deceased's family more comfortable during this time of grieving.
If the deceased had an estate plan, the law firm of Bellock & Coogan will make certain the estate’s assets are distributed as set forth in the deceased's will or trust.
If there was a trust in place at the time of death, we will advise the trustee(s) on his or her responsibilities in the administration of the decedent's trust. The tasks involved in trust administration include:
If the deceased had an estate plan, the law firm of Bellock & Coogan will make certain the estate’s assets are distributed as set forth in the deceased's will or trust.
If there was a trust in place at the time of death, we will advise the trustee(s) on his or her responsibilities in the administration of the decedent's trust. The tasks involved in trust administration include:
- Obtaining a new tax identification number for the trust
- Setting up a checking account for the trust
- Preparing an inventory of assets in the trust
- Obtaining any needed appraisals
- Keeping the beneficiaries informed and distributing assets to them
- Paying administration expenses incurred
- Funding sub-trusts that may be created pursuant to the decedent's trust agreement
- Directing the preparation of income and estate tax returns
Probate Process
At times, a deceased person's property may need to go through probate. Probate is the court-supervised process of transferring property from the estate to the decedent's beneficiaries or the decedent's heirs, depending on whether or not the decedent had a will. The attorneys at Bellock & Coogan apply their extensive knowledge of Illinois probate and the courts to counsel you through the complex process of probating a will, including the following:
Contact our law firm for any of your estate and trust administration needs.
- Advising the executor of his or her duties
- Preparing the court petition and filing the will with the Illinois probate court
- Attending all court proceedings
- Communicating with beneficiaries and/or heirs and distributing assets
- Notifying known creditors and publishing notice to creditors of the estate
- Preparing the estate asset inventory
- Paying administration expenses, taxes and other debts
- Aiding in the collection and retitling of assets
Contact our law firm for any of your estate and trust administration needs.