Q&A

How do I file a probate claim in Illinois?

How do I file a probate claim in Illinois?

The 5 Steps of the Illinois Probate Process

  1. File the Will in Probate Court and Notify Beneficiaries.
  2. Give Notice to Creditors.
  3. Take Inventory of Assets.
  4. Pay Expenses From the Estate.
  5. Distribute Assets to Beneficiaries.

How does probate work in the state of Illinois?

In Illinois, Probate is the process of administering the estate of someone who has passed away. And while some people believe that all estates go through the Probate court system, the reality is that the majority of Illinois estates will never pass through a Probate court.

When is a small estate affidavit required in Illinois?

The Illinois Small Estate Affidavit was designed by the state legislature to allow the heirs of a person that dies (called the “decedent”) to process a small estate without probate. To be eligible for the use of the Small Estate Affidavit, the following conditions must be met: The value of the “probate assets” must be less than $100,000.00;

Can a land trust be a probate asset in Illinois?

A significant portion of real estate in Illinois is also held in land trusts, where a nominal owner, often Chicago Title and Land Trust Company, is the legal owner of the property. If real estate is held in a land trust and there are living beneficiaries or successor beneficiaries, it is not a probate asset.

Can a creditor file a claim against a probate estate?

In order to provide a forum to file a claim against the estate, the creditor or claimant can open a Probate estate in court. After paying the proper fee and setting the case for hearing, the creditor or claimant can petition the court for settlement of his/her outstanding claim against the estate.

How does probate work for an estate in Illinois?

In order to probate an Estate in Illinois, there will likely be several costs that will have to be paid throughout the administration. Attorney’s fees for the attorney representing the Executor or Administrator are an estate expense.

How does probate work in McHenry County Illinois?

McHenry County Probate Court filing fees (The probate fees are on page 8.) On the other hand, debts of the estate (such as unpaid medical bills of the deceased person) are not costs of the estate administration. The debts of the estate are paid after the costs of the estate administration are paid from the estate funds.

When to use affidavit in Illinois probate court?

When the total value of the deceased person’s estate is less than $100,000 and doesn’t contain any real estate, no formal probate court proceeding is necessary. (755 Ill. Compiled Stat. 5/25-1) Instead, the people who inherit the assets can use a simple affidavit (sworn statement) to claim their inheritance.

How to open a probate estate in Cook County?

A sampling of the probate court forms to open a Cook County probate estate is attached as Exhibit B. For a detailed discussion of the court forms and steps to opening a probate estate, see