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Archiver > ILHAMILT > 2000-07 > 0962741047


From: Cindy Birk Conley <>
Subject: Re: [ILHAMILT-L] 4 16 No probate
Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 15:04:07 -0500
References: <7a.763e4e6.26939a1a@aol.com>


Darlene,

It always surprises me when I look at a probate index who has and
doesn't have a probate file. Lots of times I think older people had
already sold their property, many people didn't have property, if there
estates were so small that they didn't have any creditors except for
ones that the rest of the family paid off.

I think store owners were more likely to have an estate, and men without
wives, and people with family out of the area, and families where there
was controvery. There are very few women who had estates. I think a lot
of families just settled things among themselves and went on without
court interference--there are still small estate procedures for that
today.

Also, I found several estates where it seemed they were opened, but
don't see a closure. Maybe it has been stolen or there weren't enough
assets to pay for lawyers and creditors.

Most of my family was from White County and were poor to begin with, so
my experience might not be typical.

Cindy Birk Conley
Carmi, IL

wrote:
>
> In a message dated 7/4/00 3:08:34 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
> writes:
>
> << Pat,
>
> This is very interesting. Why would someone " NOT " have a probate record
> on file ?

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