Unless they are named beneficiaries in a will, non-family members cannot typically recover in a wrongful death claim as damages are usually distributed to spouses and close family members. However, under the Illinois Probate Act and the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, non-family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit if they are named as an executor in the deceased person’s will or, when there is no will, if they are appointed as an administrator in Illinois Probate Court.