Articles Posted in Wills & Trusts

August 11, 2026

What Happens to Your Digital Assets When You Die?

Most estate plans were built around a picture of what a person owns that no longer matches how people actually live. A house, a car, a bank account, some furniture. But think about what’s actually sitting on your phone and in the cloud right now. Photos of your kids that only exist on your phone or in a cloud account. Years of email. A cryptocurrency wallet. A small online business or Etsy shop. Airline miles, streaming subscriptions, social media accounts your family will want to memorialize or shut down.

None of that fits neatly into a traditional will written for physical property, and if nobody has planned for it specifically, your family could find themselves locked out of things you fully intended for them to have.

Why “They’ll Just Log In” Doesn’t Work

July 20, 2026

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Illinois?

by Tracy A. Ries

Most people assume their spouse or children will automatically inherit everything if they die without a will. In Illinois, that is only partially true.

If you die without a valid will, Illinois law decides who inherits your property. You lose the ability to choose who receives your assets, who manages your estate, who cares for your minor children, and how your family handles the probate process.

For some families, the result is straightforward. For others, it creates unexpected legal complications, delays, and conflict at an already difficult time.

NameEmailPhoneMessage

By clicking 'Submit', you agree to Bellas & Wachowski Attorneys at Law's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You consent to receive phone calls and SMS messages from Bellas & Wachowski Attorneys at Law to provide updates and information regarding your business with Bellas & Wachowski Attorneys at Law. Message frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging. Reply HELP for more information. See our Privacy Policy.