The Illinois Dead Man’s Act is a law about evidence. It essentially protects someone who isn’t able to testify, either because they are dead or because they are incapacitated and mentally incompetent to testify. The other side is not allowed to testify about conversations they had with the deceased. The idea is that they would be tempted to lie if there was no one around to dispute their testimony.

The Dead Man’s Act applies not only to plaintiffs and defendants but to others who are “directly interested in the action.” It also applies to events that occur in the presence…
Continue Reading What is the Dead Man’s Act?