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.
Probate in Randolph County
Probate Court Record
Randolph County Circuit Court
Randolph County · 24th Judicial Circuit
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
1 Taylor Street, Room 302, Chester, IL 62233
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Randolph County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Randolph County? →Settling an estate in Randolph County →
Probate Firms Serving Randolph County
Belleville firm serving the Metro East (St. Clair and Madison counties), with an Edwardsville office by appointment. Handles probate for executors and heirs — filing the will, appointing the representative, inventorying assets, creditor notice, tax filings, and distribution — plus will contests and estate mediation. Both founding partners are certified mediators.
Columbia firm in Monroe County, serving the Illinois side of the St. Louis Metro East. Handles probate and trust administration after a death — identifying estate assets, notifying creditors, paying final tax obligations, and distributing to beneficiaries — and represents families in will contests and breach of fiduciary duty claims, alongside wills, trusts, and business planning.
Belleville firm serving St. Clair, Monroe, Clinton, Madison, and Randolph counties, with a by-appointment satellite office in Waterloo. Identifies and secures estate assets, orders property appraisals, manages estate bank accounts, files probate court documents, satisfies estate tax obligations, and transfers assets to beneficiaries. Primarily a family-law and mediation practice.
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.
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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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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Do I Need Probate?
In Illinois, estates with personal property of $150,000755 ILCS 5/25-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate Affidavit755 ILCS 5/25-1Verified Sep 8, 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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Can I Self-File Probate?
In Illinois, informal probate is not available755 ILCS 5/6-4, 5/9-4 (court admits the will and issues letters; no registrar/clerk informal appointment)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
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