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Money & Debt

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Wills and estates

These articles focus on issues related to estate planning and end of life arrangements. Some of the topics covered are wills, trusts, setting up power of attorney, and small estate affidavits.

Estate planning
(8 resources)
Creating a Transfer on Death Instrument
Learn the steps to transfer real estate through a Transfer on Death Instrument without going through the probate process.
How-To
Small estate affidavit
This Easy Form helps you make forms to transfer someone's personal property worth up to $150,000 after their death.
Easy Form
Transferring property with a small estate affidavit
Explains when a small estate affidavit can be used to transfer your property after death without going to court.
Guide
Risks of using a small estate affidavit
Explains the possible negative consequences of utilizing an affidavit for a small estate
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Paying inheritance tax
Question and answer column with John Roska
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A will as a legal document to explain my wishes after I die
Describes wills, how to write, change, and revoke one and what happens if you die without one.
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What happens when I die with a will?
A will is followed upon a person's death and a portion of the person's estate goes to their spouse even if not listed
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Using a living trust to transfer property without probate
A webpage that explains how to use a living trust as your primary estate-planning tool.
Link
Power of Attorney (POA) for property
(7 resources)
Power of attorney for property
A program to help you complete forms to give someone access to or control over your money and property in Illinois.
Easy Form
Naming an agent for a Power of Attorney (POA)
Learn how to create a Power of Attorney, select a trusted agent, and understand their responsibilities.
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How to set up a power of attorney for property
Steps to create a power of attorney for property.
How-To
Power of attorney revocation
A program to help you cancel the power that you gave an agent under a Power of Attorney for Healthcare or Property.

Easy Form
Ending a power of attorney
Learn the steps to formally end a power of attorney for property or health care with links to the forms you need.
How-To
Power of attorney for property basics
Defines the power of attorney and describes what a person with this power can do.
Guide
Power of attorney resignation
A program to help you complete the forms to resign as an agent for power of attorney.
Easy Form
Dealing with an estate after a death
(9 resources)
Creating a Transfer on Death Instrument
Learn the steps to transfer real estate through a Transfer on Death Instrument without going through the probate process.
How-To
Using a small estate affidavit
Steps on how to create and use a small estate affidavit.
How-To
What happens when I die without a will?
Explains how an estate is divided if a person dies without a will.
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How do I settle an estate after someone dies?
Explains collecting and distributing property after someone dies by filing probate or using small estate procedures.
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Transferring property with a small estate affidavit
Explains when a small estate affidavit can be used to transfer your property after death without going to court.
Guide
Transferring a car with a Small Estate Affidavit
You can use a Small Estate Affidavit (SEA) to transfer a car, but you must go through the Secretary of State.
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A will as a legal document to explain my wishes after I die
Describes wills, how to write, change, and revoke one and what happens if you die without one.
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Canceling or revoking a Transfer on Death Instrument
Learn more about how to cancel or revoke a Transfer on Death Instrument after it has been recorded.
How-To
Using a living trust to transfer property without probate
A webpage that explains how to use a living trust as your primary estate-planning tool.
Link
Other wills and estates issues
(7 resources)
Transfer on death instrument
A program to prepare a Transfer on Death Instrument to give residential property to your loved ones after your death.
Easy Form
Transfer on Death Instrument common questions
Learn more about a Transfer on Death Instrument, how it can transfer property like a house after the owner's death, and how it fits in estate planning.
FAQ
Transfer on Death Instrument basics
Learn more about Transfer on Death Instruments and how you can use it to transfer a house to someone after you die.
Guide
Transfer on Death Instrument Revocation
You can use this form to revoke a real estate Transfer on Death Instrument that you have filed with a county Recorder of Deeds.
Form download
Paying inheritance tax
Question and answer column with John Roska
Text article
Using a living trust to transfer property without probate
A webpage that explains how to use a living trust as your primary estate-planning tool.
Link
Funeral planning basics
Learn about help that may be available when a loved one dies.
Guide