Cook County Illinois Probate Forms (2024)

1. Court Form Search - Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court

  • To use online forms with the Clerk's Office's Electronic Filing (eFiling) system, first SAVE the completed form(s) to your computer, then UPLOAD the saved form( ...

2. Court Forms for the Probate Division - Circuit Court of Cook County

  • The forms below are some of the most common forms used in the Probate Division, but there are many more. If you cannot find the form you are looking for on ...

  • Office of the Chief Judge 50 West Washington Street, Room 2600 Richard J. Daley Center Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 603-6000 Main

Court Forms for the Probate Division - Circuit Court of Cook County

3. Probate of Decedent Estates | Circuit Court of Cook County

  • Court Forms · Probate Division Cover Sheet · Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary · Oath and Bond of Representative – No Surety · Oath and Bond ...

  • The five decedent estate courtrooms are:

Probate of Decedent Estates | Circuit Court of Cook County

4. Probate Division | Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County

Probate Division | Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County

5. Wills, Estates & Guardianships – FAQs - Cook County Probate Court

  • The Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over Wills, Estates, and Guardianships. Court records, which date back to 1875, are retained in the court vault ...

  • The probate court keeps records of Wills, Estates, Guardianships, and more to help you with your legal needs. Learn about the process on CookCountyProbateCourt.com.

Wills, Estates & Guardianships – FAQs - Cook County Probate Court

6. Court Forms Hub | Office of the Illinois Courts

  • Approved Statewide Forms · Appearance · Motions and Notice · Eviction

  • Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts contains Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Court information, including judges, and the opinions of the Supreme and Appellate Courts.

Court Forms Hub | Office of the Illinois Courts

7. Court Records and Archives - Cook County Government

  • Probate Docket - cases files in Probate Court related to claims against estates and guardianships; Proabate Will - related to Wills filed with the County of ...

  • Online Case Information The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County provides on-line case information as a public service. This service is intended to be used as a resource to determine the general status of historical and in-process court cases. The information is not the official record of the court. The case data available on-line is the electronic docket which contains brief summaries of court documents and court events in a particular case. Currently, the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records of the Illinois Courts (April 1, 2004) prohibits remote access to actual case documents.  The electronic information available through this service is not the official record of the court.  The official court records are held and maintained in the hard copy paper files in the courthouse or other official Clerk's repositories. Any and all information contained within the on-line database is recorded as a brief summary from the paper documents with an understanding that the information is true and correct in as far as all aspects of the documents physically filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Based on the procedures used to update the on-line databases, it may sometimes take a few days before updated information is available in the on-line electronic dockets.  If you are looking for information on a very recent court filing or event, please check the Clerk's Public Access Terminals located in the courthouses or try the on-line system late...

Court Records and Archives - Cook County Government

8. Approved Standardized Statewide Forms - Illinois Courts

  • Appearance and Jury Request · Uniform Citation Forms · Motions and Notice

  • Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts contains Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Court information, including judges, and the opinions of the Supreme and Appellate Courts.

Approved Standardized Statewide Forms - Illinois Courts

9. Court eFiling - Cook County Government

  • The Illinois Supreme Court mandated Cook County to Utilize the Statewide Electronic Filing System (eFileIL) for Civil Case Filings in Cook County - Illinois ...

  • As of July 1, 2018, E-Filing became mandatory in Illinois for all Civil Areas (except Quasi Criminal, Housing and Wills). The Illinois Supreme Court mandated Cook County to Utilize the Statewide Electronic Filing System (eFileIL) for Civil Case Filings in Cook County - Illinois Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368. Find information about: eFile in Cook County Courts eFile training Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs) listings and other eFiling resource information  

Court eFiling - Cook County Government

10. Estate Search - Cook County Treasurer's Office - Chicago, Illinois

  • The list includes the dollar amounts on deposit with the Treasurer's Office under court order in each probate file. PLEASE NOTE that potential heirs must work ...

  • Cook County Treasurer's Office - Chicago, Illinois

11. IL Probate Forms - EstateExec

  • The above forms are provided by Cook County: see Cook County Probate Forms (select Probate Division) for a more complete list of forms that may be required ...

  • State-specific steps for settling an estate, with companion webapp to automatically track everything and generate required reports

IL Probate Forms - EstateExec

12. Cook County Illinois Probate Forms - Printable

  • Cook County Illinois Probate Forms. Web petition for probate of will and for letters testamentary. The approximate value of the estate in this. Probate Cook ...

  • Cook County Illinois Probate Forms

13. Cook County Probate Court: Citations, Marriage License,& more

  • The Cook County Probate Court offers a variety of services, including marriage licenses, firearms permits, probate services, traffic citation payments, ...

  • The Cook County Probate Court offers a variety of services, including marriage licenses, firearms permits, probate services, traffic citation payments, and birth/death certificate requests.

Cook County Probate Court: Citations, Marriage License,& more

14. How Do I Visit The Court House? - Cook County Sheriff's Office

  • Courthouse Locations and Hours. George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building 2650 S. California Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60608. Sheriff's Office: 773-674 ...

  • Contraband consists of those items which an individual may legally possess, but are prohibited from being brought into a courthouse. These items include, but are not limited to:

Cook County Illinois Probate Forms (2024)

FAQs

Do it yourself probate in Illinois? ›

In Illinois, you can file probate without a lawyer if the estate is valued at less than $100,000 and does not have any real estate; in these cases, the estate can be settled via the Illinois Small Estate Affidavit. However, it is still wise to hire a lawyer to ensure compliance with applicable probate rules.

How do I file a will in Cook County, Illinois after death? ›

Illinois law requires any person holding a decedent's will to file the will within 30 days after the decedent's death. The proper place for filing a will and opening the decedent's probate estate is generally at the courthouse in the county where the decedent last resided and intended to remain.

How long after death do you have to file probate in Illinois? ›

This statement of the decedent's intent is commonly known as that person's "Will." Under Illinois law, it is required that any person who possesses the Will of a decedent file it with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county in which that individual resided within 30 days after the death of the testator is known to ...

Who initiates probate in Illinois? ›

Probate is typically initiated by a close family member or executor named in a will and should be initiated shortly after death. In small estates a less formal process may be available, which will be addressed later in this article.

Can you file probate without a lawyer in Illinois? ›

In Illinois a lawyer is required for probate unless the estate is valued at less than $100,000 and does not have real estate; in that case the Illinois Small Estate Affidavit says the estate does not require a lawyer for probate court. This can reduce the time and cost to distribute the deceased's assets.

How much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in Illinois? ›

Generally, a formal probate court proceeding is necessary in Illinois only if: there are assets that the deceased person owned solely (not jointly), and. all of the probate assets, together, are worth more than $100,000.

Do all wills have to go through probate in Illinois? ›

In most cases, a decedent's estate will go into probate after he or she dies. Generally, the formal probate process is necessary in Illinois if: The estate consists of assets that the decedent owned individually (not jointly); and. The value of all estate assets, together, exceeds more than $100,000.

What happens if an executor does not file a will in Illinois? ›

When heirs do not receive the inheritance they are legally due because of an executor's neglect to file probate documents, they can even sue. Even worse, an executor who withholds a person's will from probate court intending to benefit financially is committing a criminal offense, and may experience jail time.

Does transfer on death deed avoid probate in Illinois? ›

The Illinois TODI is a straightforward and inexpensive way to transfer title to real property, directly to a beneficiary, without going through the probate process.

What assets are exempt from probate in Illinois? ›

What Types of Assets are Not Subject to Probate in Illinois?
  • Retirement accounts (such as 401Ks or IRAs) or life insurance policies, as long as a beneficiary has been named;
  • Property held in a living trust;
  • U.S. savings bonds that are co-owned or registered in pay-upon-death (POD) form.
  • Pension plan distribution;
Nov 16, 2020

Why avoid probate in Illinois? ›

Probate involves various fees, such as court costs, attorney fees, and executor commissions. Specifically, probate in Illinois can cost as much as 10% of the estate's value. Avoiding probate can help reduce or eliminate these expenses, leaving more of the estate's value intact for the heirs.

How much does probate court cost in Illinois? ›

The cost of probate in Illinois can vary based on the complexity of the estate, the size of the estate, and the fees charged by the probate lawyer or attorney. In general, probate can cost between 3% to 7% of the total value of the estate.

What is the 2024 probate law in Illinois? ›

But in 2024, it is updated to mandate the use of electronic signatures on all estate planning documents, including Power of Attorney. This update will streamline the process while maintaining strong security procedures with remote estate planning.

Who inherits in Illinois if no will? ›

If there are no parents or siblings, but nieces and nephews, the nieces and nephews divide the estate equally. If there are no living parents, siblings, or descendants of siblings, the estate will be inherited by the grandparents and their descendants. This includes aunts, uncles, or cousins.

How do I start a probate case in Illinois? ›

In order to initiate the probate process, the decedent's original Will (if applicable) must be filed with the Circuit Clerk in the county where the decedent resided at the time of death. Next, a Petition to open probate estate must be filed.

How much does it cost to file probate in Illinois? ›

On average, for a fairly simple estate with an effective Executor and no disputes, probate in Illinois can cost around $4,000 - $6,000.

Can an estate be settled without probate in Illinois? ›

Illinois law allows for a Small Estate Affidavit to be used for estates valued under a specific monetary threshold. With this affidavit, heirs can claim assets without going through the probate process, making it a quicker and less complicated option for smaller estates.

Can I write my own will and have it notarized in Illinois? ›

An Illinois Will must be in writing, contain your signature and the signatures of two credible witnesses. State law doesn't require Illinois Wills to be notarized.

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