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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Mitch Dudek

Will in SW Side recluse’s probate case allowed as evidence; heirs must wait decision on $11 million fortune

United States Cook County
Attorney Ken Piercey unrolls an heir tree showing more than 119 heirs in the $11 million estate of Joseph Stancak, a Chicagoan who died with no will and no immediate relatives. (Ashlee Rezin / Sun-Times (file))

Drama and intrigue reached a new level Wednesday in the puzzling case of Joseph Stancak, the frugal, secretly wealthy Southwest Side recluse whose record-setting unclaimed estate is valued at $11 million.

Cook County Probate Judge Daniel O. Tiernan decided to admit a mysterious will that is purportedly the last will and testament of Stancak into the probate case that will ultimately determine who gets the money.

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