Estate Planning & Probate in Rock Island County, Illinois
Most Rock Island County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Circuit Court.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Rock Island County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Rock Island County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Rock Island County→The Probate Process in Rock Island 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 Rock Island, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 1317 3rd Ave Suite 101, Rock Island. The court sits in the 14th Judicial Circuit. The same 14th Judicial Circuit also serves Henry, Mercer and Whiteside.
Full Rock Island Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court
Rock Island County · 14th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Rock Island County · County Recorder · Kelly Fisher
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 for Rock Island County is located in Rock Island, Illinois. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Rock Island County, but families handling probate without an attorney are exempt. Self-represented filers can submit paper documents at the Circuit Court in person or by mail.
Yes. The Circuit Court offers a self-help center where staff review paperwork and explain filing procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on a specific case. The center is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island County.
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