Libertyville firm serving Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties from eight Chicago-area offices. Represents executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration and contested probate, and prepares wills, living and special needs trusts, and powers of attorney. Founded by brothers Gary and Stephen Newland nearly three decades ago.
Lake Forest is in Lake County.
More Trust Administration Firms in Lake County
La Grange firm serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties, with a second office in Deerfield. Helps the person settling an estate secure property, send required notices, respond to creditor claims, prepare accountings, and communicate with beneficiaries, and represents beneficiaries and expected heirs. Also handles guardianship, Medicaid asset protection, and special needs planning. Founded in 1983.
Probate in Lake County
Probate Court Record
Lake County Circuit Court
Lake County · 19th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
This court requires an attorney
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Lake County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Lake County? →Settling an estate in Lake 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.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Get Started
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.
Get Started
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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Illinois happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust Code760 ILCS 3/101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 90 days760 ILCS 3/813.1Verified Oct 10, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Illinois, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)760 ILCS 3/708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
Calculate the Fee
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.
See the Steps
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Illinois requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 104035 ILCS 5/201Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Get the Answer
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
