How does an insurance policy get handled after probate is closed?

An insurance policy which has a named beneficiary (or co-beneficiaries, in your case) is not a probate asset. However because of your husband's...

What paperwork is needed to become an administrator of estate and obtain guardianship

You do need an experienced probate attorney - you will need, in all likelihood, to establish guardianship of your brother, and you may also have to...

What are my rights as surviving widow?

This situation is not as black and white as it would seem. The executor may have filed the will, but there may not be a probate estate. If, for...

Re-Opening an estate.

You have not provided enough information to provide an intelligent answer. You may be an heir, yet not a beneficiary or legatee under the will, if...

My father died and left 4 adult children, a 2nd wife and 3 recently adopted grandchildren (stepkids)do we have rights in Ill?

If there is a will, then the legatees would be designated in the will. If no will, then the current wife gets 1/2 of the estate, and the children...

You indeed will need to move forward with a probate estate in order to collect any of your uncle's assets, which will pass by the laws of descent...

Can a beneficiary, change the directions in a will if she doesn't agree with how her inheritance is to be given to her?

No. If you, as a beneficiary, were able to revise or rewrite the terms of a will, after the testator died, what would be the point in executing a...

When the grantor is incapable of handling their own affairs?

Yes, it means that the decision is made in concert with the attorney, trustee and a physician - both the attorney and the physician should be...

When the grantor of a living trust becomes incapable of making their own decisions

Your first guidance should come from the Trust Agreement - most agreements contain language indicating how the initial trustee (grantor) should be...

When making a will

Absolutely. The witnesses are witnessing you sign your will, and thereafter, acknowledging that you signed it, and that you were competent to do so.