Required for attorneysProbate filings are e-filed through eFileIL by attorneys and self-represented filers alike. An original will cannot be e-filed and is filed with the clerk on paper. A self-represented filer without home internet access, an email account, or a credit card or bank account can file on paper after filing the Certification for Exemption From E-filing. On paper: Original wills, which are filed with the clerk on paper (Ill. S. Ct. R. 9(c)(1)).
Self-help center
First floor, DeKalb County Courthouse1-815-899-4540 · Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:30 PMA JusticeCorps fellow helps self-represented filers choose court forms, explains court procedure and guides them through e-filing. The center does not give legal advice.
County forms
Probate – Deceased PacketThe county's probate packet for a decedent's estate: petitions for probate of a will and for letters of administration, affidavits of heirship, oath, bond, inventory, notices to creditors and heirs, and the final report.
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 DeKalb County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 133 West State Street, Sycamore. The court sits in the 23rd Judicial Circuit. DeKalb County shares the 23rd Judicial Circuit with Kendall.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Illinois intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Illinois estates take 9 months to 14 months to move through this process. Creditors have 6 months755 ILCS 5/18-3, 5/18-10, 5/18-11, 5/18-12Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in DeKalb County
What probate costs in DeKalb County, Illinois comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court at 133 West State Street, Sycamore. The court is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit.
The Circuit Court charges $284705 ILCS 105/27.1b(a)(2) (Clerks of Courts Act, as last amended by P.A. 104-468, eff. 7-1-26); former 705 ILCS 105/27.3f repealed by P.A. 104-468, eff. 7-1-26Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Illinois are negotiated, typically 1.9%Modeled estimate under 755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%Modeled estimate under 755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Illinois allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules pay755 ILCS 5/27-1 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Illinois requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 755 ILCS 5/12-2 (bond required), 5/12-4 (security excused by will)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Illinois typically runs 9 months to 14 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Circuit Court
Probate cases in DeKalb County, Illinois are filed at the Circuit Court. The court sits in the 23rd Judicial Circuit.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Traffic and Criminal.
A JusticeCorps fellow helps self-represented filers choose court forms, explains court procedure and guides them through e-filing. The center does not give legal advice.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
In Illinois, informal probate is not available755 ILCS 5/6-4, 5/9-4 (court admits the will and issues letters; no registrar/clerk informal appointment)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
Filed with the opening petition at the Circuit Court: Copy of the death certificate, which the Cook County Clerk asks for when the will is filed; the Probate Act and the court rules do not require one, and a plain copy serves; Original will and any codicils, filed with the clerk on paper (755 ILCS 5/6-1 "Immediately upon the death of the testator any person who has the testator's will in his possession shall file it with the clerk of the court of the proper county"; Ill. S. Ct. R. 9(c)(1) excepts original wills from e-filing entirely — they "may not be electronically filed")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.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in DeKalb County
In Illinois a death is registered locally, and in DeKalb County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder's Office as well as by Illinois Department of Public Health - Division of Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
County Clerk
DeKalb County · DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder's Office
A visitor who needs the record that day can get it in person at the office, which takes cash, check and card. The first copy carries no charge where the record shows active or retired military service.
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk and Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for DeKalb County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder at 110 East Sycamore Street, 2nd Floor, Sycamore, IL 60178. Phone: 1-815-895-7156. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
The County Clerk and Recorder charges $74 flat, regardless of page count.
DeKalb County accepts electronic recording through CSC.
Illinois allows independent administration755 ILCS 5/28-1, 5/28-2 (independent administration granted unless the will forbids it or an interested person objects)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Illinois are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a DeKalb County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Belvidere solo practice serving Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb, Stephenson, and McHenry counties from a Rockford-area base. Assists executors and trustees with probate administration, trust administration, and probate litigation, and prepares wills, powers of attorney, guardianships, and elder care plans. Attorney Mark Brynteson has practiced for over 35 years.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
Sycamore firm whose attorneys appear in the DeKalb County probate court regularly, handling will administration, will contests, creditor claims, and the recovery of estate assets. Also files adult and minor guardianships and prepares estate and gift tax returns, alongside wills and trusts for farmers, business owners, educators, and blended families. More than fifty years serving DeKalb County.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 6 more
Rockford practice on Weaver Road handling probate for executors and heirs across northern Illinois, from Jo Daviess County east to Cook. Walks personal representatives through letters of office, certified copies, the six-month creditor claim period, and out-of-state real estate, and drafts wills and trusts.
Rockford firm serving Winnebago County and the surrounding northern Illinois counties of Stephenson, Ogle, DeKalb, Boone, Lee, and Whiteside. Handles probate and guardianship representation, and drafts the wills, living wills, trusts, and powers of attorney behind an estate plan. Pairs its estate work with real estate and business law.
South Elgin and Huntley firm serving Kane, McHenry, DuPage, DeKalb, Kendall, and Cook counties. Handles wills and trusts, probate, trust administration, guardianships, and special needs trusts, and represents executors and beneficiaries in will contests and estate litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
Office
2000 McDonald Road, Suite 200South Elgin, IL 60177
Aurora firm on West Galena Boulevard probating estates in Kane, Kendall, DuPage, Will, DeKalb, and Cook counties. Advises executors, administrators, and trustees through independent administration, trust reformation petitions, and estate and gift tax issues, and represents clients in will contests. Brings nearly 50 years of estate and farm succession planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
Office
2000 W. Galena Boulevard, Suite 209Aurora, IL 60506
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Illinois statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Illinois
Free tools for settling an estate in Illinois: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Illinois.
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
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
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Illinois, informal probate is not available755 ILCS 5/6-4, 5/9-4 (court admits the will and issues letters; no registrar/clerk informal appointment)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
Enter the estate value to see Illinois attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
Examples:
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
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See whether you can file probate yourself
Enter the estate value to see whether Illinois lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
