Illinois Code § 19-11

§ 19-11.

Desperate personal estate of decedent.) (a) Upon suggestion made in the final account or report or on petition of a representative stating that any personal estate of the decedent other than goods and chattels is of desperate value and giving the reasons therefor, the court may order the evidence of the desperate personal estate to be deposited with the clerk of the court for the benefit of such of the heirs, legatees or creditors of the decedent as may be entitled thereto, except that if it appears to the court that the desperate personal estate or any part thereof is totally worthless the court may direct the representative to destroy or otherwise dispose of the evidence thereof and file an affidavit of destruction or disposition with the clerk. Notice of the hearing on a petition under this Section shall be given, as the court directs, to unpaid creditors and to every person entitled to a share of the estate who has not received that share in full, but no notice need be given to any person who waives notice. After the deposit is made or the affidavit is filed the representative has no further responsibility with respect to or liability for the desperate personal estate. (b) By leave of court any heir, legatee or creditor having an interest in any deposited personal estate may take action necessary to realize its value, in the name of the representative or in his own name. Upon realizing the value of the desperate personal estate or any part thereof, the heir, legatee or creditor shall report to the court and be chargeable therewith and, after deducting his claim or distributive share and reasonable compensation for realizing the value, shall distribute the overplus as directed by the court. The representative is not liable for costs or other expenses incurred in any proceeding or action under this Section. (c) At any time after 21 years following the deposit of any desperate personal estate, by leave of the court, the clerk may destroy or otherwise dispose of the evidence without notice or upon such notice to interested persons as the court directs and shall place a certificate of destruction or of disposition in the estate file. Any sums realized from the disposition of said personal property shall be transferred by the clerk pursuant to an order of court to the county treasurer of the county in which the estate was administered for deposit into the general fund of the county. Any person having a right thereto may file a claim with the court which ordered the disposition of the property for the sum realized from such disposition. Upon proof of the claimant's right thereto the court may enter an order upon the county treasurer to pay the claimant the amount to which the claimant is entitled without interest. Unless a claim is filed within one year from the date of the order transferring the sums realized to the county treasurer said sums shall escheat to and become the property of the county. (Source: P.A. 84-555; 84-690.)