Category: Contested Estates

How Do I Defend A Contested Will?
Posted July 13, 2016

How Do I Defend A Contested Will? Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky In Illinois, the executor of an estate has a legal obligation to defend the will in the event it is contested by parties who believe they have a financial standing in its execution. Whether the petitioners of the contest are beneficiaries named in […]

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Do I Need A Lawyer To Contest A Will In Illinois?
Posted July 07, 2016

Do I Need A Lawyer To Contest A Will In Illinois? Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky If you or your family is considering contesting a will in Illinois probate court, you may have many questions about how the procedure works. The Illinois Probate Act of 1975 lays out specific mechanisms that will govern the legal […]

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What Are The Legal Grounds To Contest A Will In Illinois?
Posted June 16, 2016

What Are The Legal Grounds To Contest A Will In Illinois? Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky When someone close to us passes away and we are named in his or her estate, we expect their last will and testament to be made while in sound mind and body. However, sometimes beneficiaries are not granted all […]

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Using No Contest Clauses To Prevent Contested Estates
Posted June 08, 2016

Using No Contest Clauses To Prevent Contested Estates Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky While most of us expect a peaceful, timely, and harmonious allocation of our estate upon our passing, there may arise situations where the beneficiaries of our estate may feel jilted. Sometimes, these hard feeling may result in litigious action that can spiral […]

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Who Has Standing To Contest A Will In Illinois?
Posted May 05, 2016

Who Has Standing To Contest A Will In Illinois? In Illinois, wills and trusts are entered into probate courts for approval, after which the executor of the estate disperses the assets amongst the beneficiaries as the deceased saw fit in his or her will. However, even the best laid plans may be held up by […]

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Removing An Executor In A Disputed Estate
Posted April 21, 2016

Removing An Executor In A Disputed Estate Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky When a person passes away, he or she will most likely have named an executor to the estate to handle dispersion of assets after death. This individual is expected to act as a responsible representative of the estate and fulfill his or her […]

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Jurisdiction in an Illinois Contested Estate Case
Posted February 04, 2016

Jurisdiction in an Illinois Contested Estate Case Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky Consider the following hypothetical situation: a man who has lived in Illinois for the past ten years dies after a lengthy illness. The man had created a will long ago while he was living in California. The man still has family, property, and […]

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Should I Contest a Will or Trust?
Posted August 12, 2015

Should I Contest a Will or Trust? Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky The death of a beloved friend or family member can be a time when those who loved the decedent draw closer to one another in celebration of the decedent’s life and legacy. Conversely, it can also be a time where tensions between surviving […]

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Ugly Estate Battle in Chicago Elite’s Family
Posted May 26, 2015

Ugly Estate Battle in Chicago Elite’s Family Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky John Podmajersky Jr. is synonymous with the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago. Starting in the 1950s, he began buying real estate in the area, and at 92 years old, Mr. Podmajersky is the largest landlord in the area with over one hundred properties. Unfortunately, […]

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Probate and Estate Lawyer – How to Avoid Heir Disputes
Posted May 18, 2015

Probate and Estate Lawyer – How to Avoid Heir Disputes Provided By: Alan G. Orlowsky Celebrity feuds over estates like the Jackson’s, James Brown’s heirs, and Robin Williams’ Contested Estate often come up in the news, but contested estates happen all of the time to regular families, too. Battles over estates can pit sibling against […]

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