Amends the Small Estates Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Allows a small estate affidavit to be used to transfer personal property in a decedent's estate if: (1) no letters of office are outstanding on the decedent's estate and no petition for letters is contemplated or pending in the State or in any other jurisdiction; and (2) the decedent's personal estate passing to any party by intestacy or under a will is limited to tangible and intangible personal property not exceeding $150,000 and motor vehicles registered with the Secretary of State. Makes a corresponding change in the form for a small estate affidavit. Provides that the changes made to the Act apply to a decedent whose date of death is on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the bill as introduced with these changes. Provides that if the small estate affidavit is being used solely for a title transaction with the Secretary of State for the transfer of the decedent's motor vehicle or vehicles, it may be used to do so in accordance with the provisions for transfer by operation of law under the Illinois Vehicle Code without consideration of the value of the decedent's personal estate. Provides that any motor vehicles that are registered with the Secretary of State in the decedent's entire personal estate passing to any party either by intestacy or under a will must be included in the affidavit with a description of each motor vehicle by make, body type, year, and vehicle identification number.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 755 ILCS 5/25
Engrossed: 755 ILCS 5/25
Enrolled: 755 ILCS 5/25