When you make a Will in Illinois, you are able to make specific gifts and general distributions under your Will. A “Specific Bequest” is a specific distribution of an individual item of your property to a particular individual or organization. For instance, you can make a Specific Bequest of your car to your uncle in your Will.
On the other hand, there are general residuary distributions for all your remaining property not otherwise distributed through Specific Bequests. With your residuary estate, you can name a number of people or organizations to split the remainder of the property in your estate.
By making a Will in Illinois, you are able to make
Specific Bequests of your property, and you are able to direct your residuary
estate to whomever you want. Without a
Will, your estate will be generically distributed according to set rules under
the Illinois laws of Intestacy.
