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Illinois

IL · 10 guides

Planning ahead

End-of-Life Planning Checklist for Illinois Residents

Illinois end-of-life planning checklist: healthcare POA, living will, financial POA, POLST, beneficiary designations, and Illinois estate tax rules.

8 min read
Estate tax

Estate and Inheritance Tax in Illinois 2026

Illinois has a $4M state estate tax, no inheritance tax. Graduated rates up to 16%, no portability. Federal threshold is $15M in 2026.

8 min read
Executor duties

Executor Duties and Timeline in Illinois

What an Illinois independent representative must do: appointment, inventory, creditor notice, tax filing, and distribution under the Probate Act.

9 min read
Funeral laws

Funeral and Burial Laws in Illinois

Illinois funeral and burial laws: cremation rules, burial requirements, green burial, body donation, disposition authority, and consumer protections.

8 min read
Probate

How Probate Works in Illinois: Process, Timeline, and Costs

Illinois probate explained: independent vs. supervised administration, small estate affidavit, Circuit Court process, fees, and deadlines.

9 min read
Financial

How to Close Bank Accounts After Death in Illinois

Step-by-step guide to closing bank accounts after death in Illinois: joint accounts, POD accounts, individual accounts, safe deposit boxes, and required documents.

7 min read
Death certificates

How to Get a Death Certificate in Illinois

Order an Illinois death certificate from IDPH or your county clerk. 2026 fees, processing times, how many copies you need, and correction process.

7 min read
Funeral costs

Illinois Funeral Cost Guide

What funerals cost in Illinois: average prices, cremation vs. burial, required disclosures, consumer rights, and how to reduce costs legally.

7 min read
Benefits

Social Security Survivor Benefits in Illinois

How to claim Social Security survivor benefits in Illinois: eligibility, benefit amounts, application process, and the $255 lump-sum death payment.

7 min read
Getting started

What to Do When Someone Dies in Illinois: A Complete Guide

Step-by-step Illinois death checklist: probate paths, death certificates, equitable distribution, financial tasks, and Medicaid recovery.

10 min read