Q: "My uncle died in Illinois and has no famliy besides me and I live out of state.
Do I need two lawyers (one in each state) to handle the probate?
A:
If your Uncle did not own real estate in more than one state, you probably only need one lawyer -- in your Uncle's state. That is, if a probate is even necessary. The attorney can usually be appointed as your agent and have you appointed Personal Representative even though you live out of state. There may be disqualifications, so you'll need to consult a probate attorney before proceeding. And even if a probate is not needed, a local attorney can inexpensively help you with small estate affidavits or other processes for tying up loose ends.
Many attorneys offer free initial consultations and could visit with you by phone and view documents sent via email or fax. Good luck to you.
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