Schaumburg practice serving northwest suburban Cook County and neighboring DuPage, Lake, and Kane counties. Represents clients on both sides of probate litigation, including will contests and disputes over executor or trustee conduct, and handles guardianships, wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Free initial consultation.
Glenview is in Cook County.
More Probate Litigation Firms in Cook County
Park Ridge firm of more than 40 years, with a by-appointment Chicago office, serving Cook and DuPage County families. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees through Illinois probate and trust administration — asset valuation, debt and tax resolution, distribution — and represents clients in will contests and heirship disputes. Also handles guardianships of adults and minors.
Oak Park practice serving Forest Park, Maywood, Berwyn, River Forest, Riverside, Elmwood Park, and the western Chicago suburbs. Collects estate assets and income, pays taxes, debts, and claims, transfers property titles to heirs, and represents either side in contested wills and trusts. Also handles guardianships and powers of attorney.
Rock Island office on 18th Avenue probating estates through the Rock Island County Circuit Court, with offices in Chicago and Davenport, Iowa. Handles estate administration, estate and trust litigation, guardianship and conservatorship, and special needs trusts. The veteran-owned firm discounts fees for service members, disabled veterans, and union members.
Palatine practice serving Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, and McHenry county estates for more than 30 years. Represents independent and supervised executors through probate, small estates, trust administration, estate tax returns, and beneficiary representation in estate disputes. Free initial consultation, with evening and weekend appointments and house calls on request.
Tinley Park solo practice off Harlem Avenue and Interstate 80, serving clients from Will, Cook, DuPage, and Kankakee counties with more than 37 years in estate planning and probate. Advises executors on their duties and represents beneficiaries in estate disputes and probate litigation. Drafts wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, and guardianship documents.
Probate in Cook County
Probate Court Record
Circuit Court of Cook County
Cook County · Circuit Court of Cook County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
50 West Washington Street, Room 1202, Chicago, IL 60602
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
This court requires an attorney
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Cook County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Cook County? →Settling an estate in Cook 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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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Illinois, a will is signed before 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavit755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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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.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Illinois costs an estimated $25,745755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.9%Modeled estimate under 755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%Modeled estimate under 755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Illinois, a surviving spouse takes half of the estate755 ILCS 5/2-1Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when a child or other descendant survives, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpes755 ILCS 5/2-1Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Illinois, creditors have 6 months755 ILCS 5/18-3 (claim date not less than 6 months from first publication, or 3 months from mailing, whichever is later); 5/18-12(b) (2-year outer bar from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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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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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Illinois pays executors reasonable compensation755 ILCS 5/27-1 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
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