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Monthly Archives: June 2013

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Introduction to Estate Planning for Digital Assets

By Jeffrey R. Gottlieb |

The topic of what happens with a person’s “digital assets” and accounts after death or disability has been the subject of increasing debate and importance over the past several years.  Facebook and Twitter, e-mail, iTunes, blogs, YouTube, Kindle books, websites, Flickr photos, Ebay businesses — the list goes on and is growing.  Our online… Read More »

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Contingent Fee Agreements in Estate Litigation

By Jeffrey R. Gottlieb |

Occasionally I am asked if I can accept a contingent fee arrangement to represent a client in an estate-related matter.  A contingent fee means that the attorney’s fee is based on a percentage or fraction (e.g. 1/3) of the amount recovered for the client.  No recovery means no fee.  This type of arrangement is… Read More »

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Independent vs. Supervised Administration in Illinois (and one of many good reasons to have a Will)

By Jeffrey R. Gottlieb |

Illinois probate administration comes in two flavors: (1) Independent; and (2) Supervised.  Most estates are administered independently.  What does this mean?  Essentially it means that the court will review the opening and the closing of the estate, but unless there is some sort of dispute or a hearing is requested or additional surety bond… Read More »

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Online Cook County Probate Court Records

By Jeffrey R. Gottlieb |

I occasionally receive phone calls from probate estate beneficiaries who want to know about probate court proceedings for an estate.  They want to know basic information such as the documents that have been filed, the court orders entered or when the next probate court hearing is scheduled.  Many county courts now have such information… Read More »

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Heirs vs. Descendants

By Jeffrey R. Gottlieb |

‘Heirs vs. Descendants’ sounds like an oddball method of dividing teams for a family softball match.  Or maybe the sequel to a cartoon movie.  What you don’t want it to be is the legal caption describing the parties litigating your estate because the terms of your will or trust were ambiguous or not what… Read More »

U.S. Supreme Court Decision Reinforces Importance of Updating Beneficiary Designations After Divorce

By Jeffrey R. Gottlieb |

It is not every day (or year) that the Supreme Court issues a decision impacting estate law.  They did, however, issue just such a decision yesterday (June 3) that serves as a good reminder for something that many probably already knew, but is worth reinforcing, and that is: you must change your beneficiary designations… Read More »

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Formal Proof of Will Hearings in Illinois

By Jeffrey R. Gottlieb |

I recently represented a client in a formal proof of will hearing in Cook County Probate Court (Daley Center 18th Floor).  This type of hearing involves bringing the (usually two) witnesses to a decedent’s Will into court to testify under oath as to the authenticity of their signatures and the circumstances surrounding the execution… Read More »