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.

The creditor claim period of 6 months755 ILCS 5/18-3, 5/18-10, 5/18-11, 5/18-12Verified Oct 10, 2026View source runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. Every claim is barred 24 months755 ILCS 5/18-3, 5/18-10, 5/18-11, 5/18-12Verified Oct 10, 2026View source after the date of death, whether or not notice was given.

Within 60 days755 ILCS 5/14-1Verified Oct 10, 2026View source of the personal representative's appointment.

The default route is independent administration: the personal representative mails or delivers an accounting to all interested persons and files a verified report under 755 ILCS 5/28-11 certifying that creditor notice was published, all claims are paid or barred, all death taxes are paid or provided for, and the assets have been distributed; where signed receipts in full are not filed, the report is mailed and the court, after a 42-day objection window, enters an order discharging the representative and declaring the estate closed755 ILCS 5/28-11, 5/28-2, 5/24-1, 5/24-2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.