Illinois requires 2 witnesses present when the testator signs755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. A gift to a witness who is also a beneficiary can be voided or reduced755 ILCS 5/4-6Verified Sep 16, 2026View source in Illinois, so the usual practice is disinterested witnesses.

No. Illinois does not require notarization for a will to be valid755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. Illinois has no execution-time self-proving affidavit755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Sep 16, 2026View source; a witness affidavit at probate can substitute for live testimony, so no notary is involved when the will is signed.

Illinois requires 1755 ILCS 45/4-10Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witness, each at least 18 years755 ILCS 45/4-10Verified Oct 15, 2026View source old and present when you sign, and the agent or your healthcare provider cannot serve as one.

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. Real property is outside the affidavit755 ILCS 5/25-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which reaches personal property only. Illinois sets the limit by the decedent's date of death755 ILCS 5/25-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an earlier death may be measured against a lower figure. An estate over the limit does not qualify, and no affidavit is prepared for it.

No. Illinois has no statewide fillable petition form (Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary (testate) / Petition for Letters of Administration (intestate) (CCP 0315)755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8 (admit will & issue letters testamentary); 755 ILCS 5/9-3, 5/9-4 (letters of administration & preference); 755 ILCS 5/12-2 to 12-5 (oath & bond); 755 ILCS 5/28-2 (independent administration); 755 ILCS 5/6-13, 5/9-1 (who may act)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source is a county form). The petition is drafted to the contents the appointment statute requires and filed with the Circuit Court755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8 (admit will & issue letters testamentary); 755 ILCS 5/9-3, 5/9-4 (letters of administration & preference); 755 ILCS 5/12-2 to 12-5 (oath & bond); 755 ILCS 5/28-2 (independent administration); 755 ILCS 5/6-13, 5/9-1 (who may act)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. E-filing is open to self-represented filers755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8 (admit will & issue letters testamentary); 755 ILCS 5/9-3, 5/9-4 (letters of administration & preference); 755 ILCS 5/12-2 to 12-5 (oath & bond); 755 ILCS 5/28-2 (independent administration); 755 ILCS 5/6-13, 5/9-1 (who may act)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.