Probate in Jefferson County

Probate Court Record

Jefferson County Circuit Court

Jefferson County · 2nd Judicial Circuit

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Office

100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Self-represented filing

Allowed

How to file probate in Jefferson County →

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Jefferson County? →Settling an estate in Jefferson County →

Conservatorship Firms Serving Jefferson County

Carbondale firm serving Jackson County and the southern Illinois region since 1949. Handles probate and estate settlement — filing probate paperwork, resolving the decedent’s debts, distributing assets under the will, and guiding executors through the process — alongside testamentary trusts for minor beneficiaries.

Since 1949Serves 20 countiesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipGuardianshipWills Trusts

Centralia firm founded in 1939, serving Marion County and the surrounding southern Illinois counties. Collects and manages estate assets and debts, pays taxes, distributes property to heirs, and closes the estate, and also handles trust administration, nonprobate administration, contested wills, and guardianships of minors and disabled adults.

Since 1939Serves 5 countiesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationElder Law+4

Marion firm in Williamson County serving southern Illinois, from Carbondale and Herrin to Mount Vernon, Benton, Harrisburg, and Anna. Handles probate — validating a will and administering the distribution of an estate — along with guardianship petitions, Medicaid and special needs planning, estate protection, and veterans benefits. Founded by attorney Tiffanny H. Sievers.

Serves 6 countiesFree consultationEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipGuardianship+2

Taylorville firm practicing in Christian County since 1928. Guides executors and trustees through probate and estate administration and litigates disputes between heirs, estate challenges, trustee misconduct, and misappropriation of assets. Also drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney and handles guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults.

Since 1928Serves the whole stateEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationConservatorship+2

Lake Forest office on S. Saunders Road serving Chicago, the North Shore, and clients throughout Illinois and Missouri. Guides executors and trustees through probate — validating the will, inventorying and valuing assets, creditor and beneficiary notice, court filings, and distribution — plus guardianship and digital-asset planning. Attorney Shanise Evans meets clients in person or virtually.

Solo PracticeServes the whole stateFree consultationVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipGuardianship+2

Frankfort firm on West Lincoln Highway serving Will, Cook, and Kankakee counties and clients across Illinois. Opens estates in the county probate court, prepares inventories and creditor notices, and handles ancillary probate for out-of-state decedents with Illinois property, alongside trust administration, guardianships, and special needs trusts. Free consultation.

Serves the whole stateFree consultationEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawConservatorship+3

All 12 Illinois conservatorship firms serving Jefferson County →

Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Illinois

Free Illinois forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Illinois.

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Healthcare Power of Attorney

Illinois requires 1755 ILCS 45/4-10Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witness for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not required755 ILCS 45/4-10Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.

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Free

Financial Power of Attorney

Illinois treats a power of attorney as durable by default755 ILCS 45/2-3, 45/2-5, 45/2-8, 45/2-10.6, 45/3-3, 45/3-3.6, 45/3-4; 765 ILCS 5/28; 755 ILCS 5/11-1Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed before 1755 ILCS 45/2-3, 45/2-5, 45/2-8, 45/2-10.6, 45/3-3, 45/3-3.6, 45/3-4; 765 ILCS 5/28; 755 ILCS 5/11-1Verified Sep 18, 2026View source witness and a notary.

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$12/month

Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Illinois

Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Illinois: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Illinois.

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Illinois runs $3,680Estimate: 10 hours at $368, Clio's Illinois Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,520Estimate: 15 hours at $368, Clio's Illinois Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,002Estimate: 3 hours at $334, Clio's Illinois Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,004Estimate: 6 hours at $334, Clio's Illinois Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Illinois: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 days755 ILCS 5/14-1Verified Oct 10, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 months755 ILCS 5/18-3, 5/18-10, 5/18-11, 5/18-12Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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