Ashton Wills & Probate Lawyer, Illinois
Includes: Estate Administration, Living Wills, Wills
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LEGAL TERMS
PREDECEASED SPOUSE
In the law of wills, a spouse who dies before the will maker while still married to him or her.
INHERITANCE TAXES
Taxes some states impose on people or organizations who inherit property from a deceased person's estate. The taxes are based on the value of the inherited prop... (more...)
Taxes some states impose on people or organizations who inherit property from a deceased person's estate. The taxes are based on the value of the inherited property.
TRUSTEE POWERS
The provisions in a trust document defining what the trustee may and may not do.
INTER VIVOS TRUST
The Latin name, favored by some lawyers, for a living trust. 'Inter vivos' is Latin for 'between the living.'
SUMMARY PROBATE
A relatively simple probate proceeding available for 'small estates,' as that term is defined by state law. Every state's definition is different, and many are ... (more...)
A relatively simple probate proceeding available for 'small estates,' as that term is defined by state law. Every state's definition is different, and many are complicated, but a few examples include estates worth up to $100,000 in California; New York estates where property, excluding real estate and amounts that must be set aside for surviving family members, is worth $20,000 or less; and Texas estates where the value of property doesn't exceed what is needed to pay a family allowance and certain creditors.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR
Someone appointed by a probate court to oversee probate proceedings when a person dies without a will or heirs, and his or her property is expected to pass to t... (more...)
Someone appointed by a probate court to oversee probate proceedings when a person dies without a will or heirs, and his or her property is expected to pass to the state. Some states have public administrators who are responsible for temporarily preserving the assets of an estate if there are disputes about specific provisions in the will or about who will be appointed the regular administrator.
COUNTERCLAIM
A defendant's court papers that seek to reverse the thrust of the lawsuit by claiming that it was the plaintiff -- not the defendant -- who committed legal wron... (more...)
A defendant's court papers that seek to reverse the thrust of the lawsuit by claiming that it was the plaintiff -- not the defendant -- who committed legal wrongs, and that as a result it is the defendant who is entitled to money damages or other relief. Usually filed as part of the defendant's answer -- which also denies plaintiff's claims -- a counterclaim is commonly but not always based on the same events that form the basis of the plaintiff's complaint. For example, a defendant in an auto accident lawsuit might file a counterclaim alleging that it was really the plaintiff who caused the accident. In some states, the counterclaim has been replaced by a similar legal pleading called a cross-complaint. In other states and in federal court, where counterclaims are still used, a defendant must file any counterclaim that stems from the same events covered by the plaintiff's complaint or forever lose the right to do so. In still other states where counterclaims are used, they are not mandatory, meaning a defendant is free to raise a claim that it was really the plaintiff who was at fault either in a counterclaim or later as part of a separate lawsuit.
SECONDARY MEANING
In trademark law, a mark that is not inherently distinctive becomes protected after developing a 'secondary meaning': great public recognition through long use ... (more...)
In trademark law, a mark that is not inherently distinctive becomes protected after developing a 'secondary meaning': great public recognition through long use and exposure in the marketplace. For example, though first names are not generally considered inherently distinctive, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream has become so well known that it is now entitled to maximum trademark protection.
EXECUTOR
The person named in a will to handle the property of someone who has died. The executor collects the property, pays debts and taxes, and then distributes what's... (more...)
The person named in a will to handle the property of someone who has died. The executor collects the property, pays debts and taxes, and then distributes what's left, as specified in the will. The executor also handles any probate court proceedings and notifies people and organizations of the death. Also called personal representatives.
SAMPLE LEGAL CASES
In re Estate of Ellis
... Bauman was the pastor of the church of which Ellis was a member. When Ellis died in 2003, the
1999 will was admitted to probate. ... The circuit court of Cook County dismissed all counts as
untimely pursuant to section 8-1 of the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/8-1 (West 2006)). ...
Wackrow v. Niemi
... James Woods died in August 2002. Letters of office were issued and Woods' will was admitted
to probate on October 23, 2002. ... The estate did not deliver the property or the $300,000 to plaintiff.
On October 24, 2003, the probate court denied plaintiff's claim against the estate. ...
In re Estate of Feinberg
... freedom. The Probate Act places only two limits on the ability of a testator to choose
the objects of his bounty. ... desire. Under the Probate Act, Max and Erla had no
obligation to make any provision at all for their grandchildren. ...
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