If you die in the state of Illinois without a will, your loved ones are left under the state of Illinois “intestate succession” to distribute your personal assets. Who receives what depends on whether you have children, parents, siblings, or other close relatives at the time of death.

Read the following to understand intestacy law in Illinois:

• If the deceased leaves behind children but no spouse, the children inherit the entire intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse but no descendants, the spouse inherits the entire intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and descendants, the spouse inherits 1/2 of the intestate property and descendants inherit the other 1/2 of the intestate property.
• If the deceased leaves behind parents but no spouse, descendants, or siblings, the parents inherit all of the intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind siblings but no spouse, descendants, or parents, the siblings inherit all of the intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind parents and siblings, both will inherit intestate property in equal shares, except in the case if one parent is living, then they could receive double shares.

To learn more about intestacy laws, visit www.nolo.com.

If you or someone you know is dealing with the loss of a loved one and their estate, contact the lawyers at Meyerson and O’Neill Law Firm today at 877-373-8059.