Peoria firm serving Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Knox, and McLean counties, with a second office in Morton. Represents executors, administrators, trustees, and beneficiaries in probate court administration, fiduciary and estate tax returns, small estate affidavits, and estate claims. Also handles guardianships, special needs trusts, and Medicaid planning.
Probate in Knox County
Probate Court Record
Knox County Circuit Court
Knox County · 9th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
200 South Cherry Street, Galesburg, IL 61401
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
How to file probate in Knox County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Knox County? →Settling an estate in Knox County →
Probate Litigation Firms Serving Knox County
La Salle firm serving the Illinois Valley, traced to a sole practice James Eugene Malone opened in La Salle circa 1909 and formerly Herbolsheimer, Duncan, Eiten & Hintz. Handles probate administration, will and trust contests, and guardianships. John S. Duncan counsels on advanced estate tax planning, marital and bypass trusts, and estate tax return preparation.
Rock Island solo practice serving Rock Island County and the Quad Cities. Attorney Philip Koenig handles wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration, including estate-tax, property, and litigated estate issues. Recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer every year since 2003.
Woodford County firm based in Eureka since its founding by Don B. Pioletti Sr. in 1938, with offices in Bloomington, Peoria, Springfield, and Kankakee. Drafts wills, living and life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives, and handles creditor claims, fiduciary litigation, trust contests, and guardianships.
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.
Macomb general-practice firm on West Side Square, serving McDonough, Hancock, Henderson, Fulton, Schuyler, Warren, and Knox county families. Estate administration work covers probate, small estate affidavits, will contests, and inheritance and estate tax returns. Farm estates and farm succession planning are a recurring emphasis.
All 13 Illinois probate litigation firms serving Knox 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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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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