Aurora firm on West Galena Boulevard probating estates in Kane, Kendall, DuPage, Will, DeKalb, and Cook counties. Advises executors, administrators, and trustees through independent administration, trust reformation petitions, and estate and gift tax issues, and represents clients in will contests. Brings nearly 50 years of estate and farm succession planning.
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 →
Tax Planning Firms Serving Cook County
Oakbrook Terrace firm serving DuPage, Cook, Will, and Kane counties. Represents trustees and named beneficiaries in opening, administering, and closing estates — probate court appearances, property management, final tax returns, small estates, and will contests. Attorneys Ausaf Farooqi and Naveed Husain also draft Islamic wills and trusts.
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.
Naperville firm on South Washington Street serving DuPage County and Chicagoland since 1978. Handles estate administration, small estate administration with bond in lieu of surety, guardianships, and trust administration after a death, and drafts wills, revocable and special needs trusts, and transfer-on-death instruments.
Lisle practice on Warrenville Road serving DuPage County families, where Cindy Hutchins has twice chaired the DuPage County Bar Association Estate Planning and Probate Committee. Represents executors, administrators, and beneficiaries in probate and handles will contests and contested trusts and estates. Adds Medicaid planning, special needs trusts, and adult and minor guardianships.
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.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Free
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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Free
Pour-Over Will
In Illinois, a pour-over will is signed before 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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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 Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Illinois levies an estate tax35 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $4,000,00035 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source (top rate 16%35 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Calculate the Tax
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
In Illinois, beneficiaries owe no inheritance tax and the estate pays any estate tax35 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $4,000,00035 ILCS 405/2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.
Calculate the Tax
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Illinois take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular rates35 ILCS 5/201(b)(5.4) flat 4.95% rate on individuals, trusts, and estates; § 201(c)-(d) personal property tax replacement income tax; 35 ILCS 5/203 federal AGI conformityVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Calculate the Tax
When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Check the Rules
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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