{"id":6366,"date":"2022-04-11T05:38:29","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T05:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/?page_id=6366"},"modified":"2025-11-13T12:11:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T12:11:59","slug":"probate-attorney-east-peoria-il","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/probate-attorney-east-peoria-il\/","title":{"rendered":"Probate Attorney East Peoria IL"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"6366\" class=\"elementor elementor-6366\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-019509b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"019509b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8d3412 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"e8d3412\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"container\" data-elementor-id=\"9482\" class=\"elementor elementor-9482\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-390c5d78 e-con-full shortcode-back e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"390c5d78\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c07a58e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c07a58e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9136784 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9136784\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35d57e8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"35d57e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-819df64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"819df64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why You Need a Probate Attorney in East Peoria IL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2015e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c2015e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The law firm of Stephens Fiddes McGill and Associates, P.C. wants you to understand the importance of the right probate attorney in East Peoria IL. First, you are not required by law to hire a lawyer for probate proceedings. Unfortunately, many people choose not to hire a lawyer because they misunderstand the roles that the different parties play.<\/p><p>For instance, many people assume that an estate executor or the probate court will protect their interests. While the executor has a fiduciary duty to act in the beneficiaries\u2019 best interests, they cannot put one beneficiary\u2019s interests ahead of another. When disputes arise, it can be challenging for the executor to decide what to do. Meanwhile, it is also important to understand that the court cannot provide legal advice. The court functions only to see estate administration handled in accordance with a will and probate laws. Thus, a court can preside over disputes but will remain neutral.<\/p><p>Therefore, the best way to get the legal assistance you need is by calling our firm at 309-637-LAWS for a consultation. Click\u00a0<a href=\"\/contact\/\">here<\/a>\u00a0to contact us online.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1694b4a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1694b4a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0703179 height-image center-img elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0703179\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/probate-court-intestate-picture-id180707990.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6375\" alt=\"Probate Attorney East Peoria IL\" style=\"width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7b151f e-con-full list-text e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f7b151f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68348e2 e-con-full list-text e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68348e2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29fceb9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"29fceb9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39294d0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"39294d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1df3d95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1df3d95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Brief Overview of Probate\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a32c16f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a32c16f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Probate functions as the judicial process for distributing a deceased person\u2019s estate based on the terms of their will. If the deceased died without a will, their estate would still go through probate. However, their assets will get distributed according to the laws of intestate succession. Those are the rules that dictate which heirs will inherit the estate\u2019s assets. The entire process gets oversight from the court. That way, it can ensure that the estate is administered according to the terms of the decedent\u2019s will or according to Illinois intestacy laws. For more information on the process, contact our probate attorney in East Peoria IL.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a00f67 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4a00f67\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d6d4c4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9d6d4c4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7118c01 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7118c01\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f047d37 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f047d37\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e91fd9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e91fd9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Probate Process<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30af239 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"30af239\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ba664f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4ba664f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f91475 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f91475\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The probate process starts when the will gets filed with the probate court. Once the will has been filed, the court responds by naming an executor. Then, the beneficiaries and creditors will receive notifications. If there are any disputes involving the will or administration of the estate, those matters will require resolution with probate court litigation.<\/p><p>Eventually, the executor will pay any taxes and other valid claims, distribute the estate assets, and then make a final accounting to the court. While this sounds simple, it involves a very complicated process that can linger on for several months. However, our probate attorney in East Peoria IL can help. We will ensure that the estate is administered as quickly and fairly as possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8399734 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8399734\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b15332c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b15332c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98453cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"98453cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Contact Our Probate Attorney in East Peoria IL<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-102f68f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"102f68f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Simplify the probate process and protect your rights with a Stephens Fiddes McGill and Associates probate attorney in East Peoria IL. Discuss your case with us by calling 309-637-LAWS now. If you prefer, you can also\u00a0<a href=\"\/contact\/\">contact us<\/a>\u00a0online to request a consultation. Our firm has been recognized as one of the top three law firms in Central Illinois on five different occasions. In addition to probate law, we can also assist you with\u00a0<a href=\"\/practice-area\/bankruptcy-law\/\">bankruptcy law<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/practice-area\/criminal-law\/\">criminal law<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/real-estate-law-peoria-il\/\">real estate law<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/practice-area\/family-law\/\">family law<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/practice-area\/personal-injury\/\">personal injury law<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/practice-area\/traffic-law\/\">traffic law<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"\/practice-area\/workers-compensation\/\">workers compensation law<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"\/practice-area\/social-security-disability\/\">social security disability law<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f04cc08 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f04cc08\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-baeb33a height-image elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"baeb33a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/last-will-and-probate-picture-id180711319.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6376\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why You Need a Probate Attorney in East Peoria IL The law firm of Stephens Fiddes McGill and Associates, P.C. wants you to understand the importance of the right probate attorney in East Peoria IL. First, you are not required by law to hire a lawyer for probate proceedings. Unfortunately, many people choose not to&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/probate-attorney-east-peoria-il\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Probate Attorney East Peoria IL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6366","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6366"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9710,"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6366\/revisions\/9710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stephensfiddesmcgill.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}