Updated March 16, 2023
An Illinois last will and testament is a legal document used by a testator (person to whom the will belongs) to indicate how their estate should be distributed upon death. A testator can draft a will with clear instructions on how to disperse fiduciary assets/funds, real and personal property, and even digital property among their designated beneficiaries. This document is utilized to ensure loved ones inherit the portion of the estate that the testator intended; otherwise, Illinois succession laws determine who inherits the deceased’s property when there is no will in place. In Illinois, wills must be signed by two (2) witnesses who acknowledged the testator sign the document. A testator also has the option to notarize the document for an additional layer of legal protection.
Table of Contents |
Laws
Signing Requirements
Testator must sign in the presence of two (2) or more witnesses. Both witnesses must sign the document. (Section 755 ILCS 5/4-3)
State Definition
“Will” includes testament and codicil.
Related Forms
Download: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument