Settlement Against Estate For Tax Purposes In Illinois
Description
Form popularity
FAQ
The state of Illinois does not set a specific time limit for settling an estate, but it does expect executors and probate courts to handle the process as efficiently and diligently as possible. Because of the variation in estates, the length of the process can vary from several months to several years.
Probate is just one way to settle an estate when someone dies. And it's not always required. Illinois law allows a different and simplified procedure for handling small estates. A small estate is one with no land and less than $100,000 in total assets.
In Illinois, the settlement of an estate typically involves the probate process. Probate is a legal procedure that includes validating a will, identifying and appraising assets, settling debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
When a person dies in Illinois, anyone who has a claim against a decedent's estate —whether it is a contract, tort, or statutory custodial claim—may file that claim with the estate representative or with the court.
Illinois' “per stirpes” law dictates that half of the estate passes to the surviving spouse while the other half is divided among children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. If there is no surviving spouse, the entire estate passes to the deceased's children.
Another key difference: While there is no federal inheritance tax, there is a federal estate tax. The federal estate tax generally applies to assets over $13.61 million in 2024 and $13.99 million in 2025, and the federal estate tax rate ranges from 18% to 40%.
