Estate Planning & Probate in Cook County, Illinois
Cook County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local Circuit Court of Cook County details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court of Cook County, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Cook County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Cook County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Cook County→The Probate Process in Cook County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Cook County, probate runs through the Circuit Court of Cook County at 50 W. Washington Suite 1001, Chicago.
Full Cook Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court of Cook County
Cook County
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Cook County · County Clerk · Monica Gordon
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$50 flat, regardless of page count; required form fees may include PTAX-203 Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration (MyDec / PTAX-203) ($0); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt.
Full recording details →Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
The Circuit Court of Cook County for Cook County is located in Chicago, Illinois. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Cook County, but families handling probate without an attorney are exempt. Self-represented filers can submit paper documents at the Circuit Court of Cook County in person or by mail.
No. Illinois allows estates under $150,000 to use a Small Estate Affidavit and skip formal probate. There is no statutory waiting period. Use the Illinois probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, Illinois' intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Cook County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in Illinois for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Cook County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
Illinois Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Cook County.
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