Free Illinois Petition for Probate

How to open probate in Illinois: petition the Circuit Court and request Letters of Office. 755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8.

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You & the Will

Illinois has no statewide fillable form; we draft the petition from 755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8.

Opening probate?The whole estate, start to finish.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

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SELF-HELP SERVICE: SimplyTrust provides a self-help document preparation service. We are not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice, select forms for you, or tell you how to complete forms. Our role is limited to providing a platform where you input your own information into document templates.

NOT LEGAL ADVICE:This document was created entirely based on your selections. SimplyTrust does not review, analyze, or verify your entries, nor do we verify your identity, capacity, or authority to act. You are solely responsible for determining whether this document meets your needs and for completing all required execution formalities (signatures, witnesses, notarization, or recording) in accordance with your state's laws. For any legal questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Probate Petitions

In Illinois, you file a petition with Circuit Court to open probate. Clerk of the Circuit Court issues Letters of Office once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Illinois.

You cannot fill out Letters — they are issued by the court. The document you prepare and file is the petition (or application) for probate and for Letters. This tool prepares that petition for Illinois.

No. Illinois has no statewide fillable petition form, so the petition is drafted to the contents required by 755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8. After downloading, review and sign it, then file it with Circuit Court.

Illinois requires a bond by default before Letters issue, unless the will waives it. 755 ILCS 5/12-2 (bond required), 5/12-4 (when excused — only where the will excuses it), 5/12-5(a) (amount — not less than double the value of the personal estate where individuals act as sureties or bond is excused; not less than 1 1/2 times where a surety company acts as surety)

Illinois offers probate e-filing, and it is mandatory for some filers. E-filing is mandatory in civil cases under Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368 (filed Jan. 22, 2016). Exempted document types include wills, juvenile-court documents, and filings by incarcerated self-represented litigants; a good-cause exemption (Supreme Court Certificate for Exemption from E-Filing) permits paper filing. Self-represented filers may e-file through an approved eFileIL service provider.

Along with the petition, Illinois typically requires: Certified copy of the death certificate; Original will and any codicils, filed with the clerk; Petition to admit will / for letters of administration stating heirs and legatees; Oath of office of the representative; Surety bond unless excused by the will or the court.

Opening Probate in Illinois

Before anyone can act for a Illinois estate, Circuit Court must appoint a personal representative and issue Letters. Letters are the court's output — you can't fill them out. The document you file is the petition for probate and for Letters (755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8).

Illinois has no statewide fillable petition form, so the petition is drafted to the contents the statute requires (755 ILCS 5/6-2, 5/6-8). This tool assembles those required allegations and the verification into a petition you can review, sign, and file with the court in the county where the decedent lived.

You file the petition together with the supporting documents the court requires — typically a certified death certificate and, where there is a will, the original will. Illinois requires a bond before Letters issue unless it is waived by the will. The court reviews the petition and, if it is in order, grants it and directs that Letters issue.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Probate Petitions

In Illinois, you file a petition with Circuit Court to open probate. Clerk of the Circuit Court issues Letters of Office once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Illinois.

Opening Probate in Illinois

Free Illinois Petition for Probate

You & the Will

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Probate Petitions