Illinois Statutes Chapter 755. Estates § 5/24-3. Order of distribution, abatement and contribution on settlement of estate

§ 24-3. Order of distribution, abatement and contribution on settlement of estate. (a) The court may enforce the settlement of estates. On every settlement the court may order the representative of a decedent's estate to pay the claims against the estate, as provided in Section 18-13. If it appears that there are sufficient assets to pay all claims against the estate the court may order the representative to distribute the estate to the persons entitled thereto.

(b) Unless otherwise provided by the will, if the estate of a testator is insufficient to pay all legacies under his will, specific legacies shall be satisfied pro rata before general legacies, and general legacies shall be satisfied pro rata, without any priority in either case as between real and personal estate.

(c) If real or personal estate which has been specifically bequeathed is sold by the representative, the other legatees shall contribute to the legatee whose legacy has been sold, so as to accomplish abatement and equalization as provided in this Section. The court shall determine the amount of the respective contributions, the manner in which they shall be paid, and whether with or without security.

(d) On final distribution of an estate, payments made from principal or income shall be accounted for as provided in Sections 5 and 6 of the Principal and Income Act.  1