When someone dies without a will in Illinois, state law determines who inherits the estate—but inheritance is only part of the probate process. Learn what intestacy means, who may inherit, and what families should expect when administering an estate without a will.

Not every Illinois estate requires formal probate. A Small Estate Affidavit may provide a simpler way to collect and distribute certain personal property when an estate qualifies. Learn about Illinois’s $150,000 threshold, eligibility requirements, and important limitations.

A Transfer on Death Instrument, or TODI, can allow Illinois property owners to transfer real estate directly to a designated beneficiary at death without transferring ownership during their lifetime. Learn how TODIs work, when they may help avoid probate, and why proper preparation and recording matter.