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It depends upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the following: Whether he left a Will naming you as his personal representative. If he left a Will naming you, the answer is probably yes, assuming you meet all state law requirement. If he names another person, then the answer is probably not. If he did not leave a Will, it again depends upon state law. In Nevada, a personal representative who is not named in a Will cannot serve without an in state co-personal representative. Some states do not have a residency requirement.

Generally speaking, you can get control over an estate, even if you live in a different state. For a probate estate, most states allow an executor/trustee to be a non-resident, but they may require a supplemental, local executor/trustee to be appointed to assist you in handling certain real estate and financial transactions. However, it appears from your question that your father is still living, so I assume this would a guardianship estate. Guardianship estates can be split into two - one for control over the person (i.e., making decisions about their health, living environment and general care), and the other is for control over their financial estate. Most states, Illinois included, require that the guardian for the financial estate be located in the same state as the ward. You may need to find someone locally to act as this guardian. There are professional organizations that provide these services, such as a trust company (i.e., Northern Trust). This answer is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a local probate lawyer for legal advice that is tailored to your facts and circumstances.