In this article, our Saint Charles probate dispute attorneys explain the impact of no-contest clauses in wills and trusts on probate litigation. A no-contest clause is a clause in a will or a trust that provides that any beneficiary of the will or trust that challenges the validity of the will or trust will forfeit some or all of the benefits he or she would have otherwise received under the will or trust. No contest clauses cannot actually prevent an individual from challenging a will or trust, they simply provide that if the beneficiary fails in the challenge, they will forfeit a benefit they would otherwise receive.

Read the full article by our Saint Charles probate litigation lawyers explaining no contest clauses in Illinois probate disputes.

In this article, our Saint Charles probate lawyers explain the Illinois Dead-Man's Act.  The Illinois Dead-Man's Act bars witnesses from testifying regarding conversations with a deceased individual if the the testimony tends to benefit the witness.  We explain when the Dead-Man's Act applies and several exceptions to its evidentiary bar in probate disputes.

Read the full article by our Saint Charles contested estate lawyers explaining the rules of evidence in probate litigation.

In this article, our Saint Charles probate dispute lawyers explain how probate claims work. A probate claim can be filed by anyone who claims that the deceased individual or his or her estate owes the claimant money. We explain how a probate claim is filed, the executor's duties to notify creditors, and how disputed probate claims are litigated.

Read the full article by our Saint Charles contested estate lawyers explaining probate claims in Kane County.