Rock Island solo practice serving Rock Island County and the Quad Cities. Attorney Philip Koenig handles wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration, including estate-tax, property, and litigated estate issues. Recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer every year since 2003.
Estate Planning for Rock Island County, Illinois Property Owners
For most Rock Island County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Rock Island County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Rock Island County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Rock Island County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Illinois probates run 6+ months and start with $284 in filing fees. Illinois also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Rock Island County
A transfer on death instrument names a beneficiary who receives Rock Island County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, an Illinois transfer on death instrument is signed with 2755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and notary acknowledgment755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95Verified Oct 18, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's death755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Rock Island County are recorded with the County Recorder at 1504 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201. Phone: 1-309-558-3360. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.
The County Recorder charges $83 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death instrument in Rock Island County comes to $83. A transfer on death instrument is exempt from transfer tax.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Rock Island County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
1504 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Rock Island, IL 61201
Website
Fax
1-309-558-3642
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $83 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2; Rock Island County Board Ordinance No. 2024-11-A (effective February 1, 2025)
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Rock Island County
Geneseo firm tracing its origins to 1857, with a second office in Silvis, serving western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Represents trustees, executors, and heirs in probate and trust administration — filing the will and inventory, collecting assets, filing tax returns, selling real estate and businesses, and settling creditor claims — alongside estate planning and elder law.
La Salle firm serving the Illinois Valley, traced to a sole practice James Eugene Malone opened in La Salle circa 1909 and formerly Herbolsheimer, Duncan, Eiten & Hintz. Handles probate administration, will and trust contests, and guardianships. John S. Duncan counsels on advanced estate tax planning, marital and bypass trusts, and estate tax return preparation.
Libertyville firm serving Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties from eight Chicago-area offices. Represents executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration and contested probate, and prepares wills, living and special needs trusts, and powers of attorney. Founded by brothers Gary and Stephen Newland nearly three decades ago.
Taylorville firm practicing in Christian County since 1928. Guides executors and trustees through probate and estate administration and litigates disputes between heirs, estate challenges, trustee misconduct, and misappropriation of assets. Also drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney and handles guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults.
Macomb general-practice firm on West Side Square, serving McDonough, Hancock, Henderson, Fulton, Schuyler, Warren, and Knox county families. Estate administration work covers probate, small estate affidavits, will contests, and inheritance and estate tax returns. Farm estates and farm succession planning are a recurring emphasis.
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.
Legal Sources
(2)·
- 755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95
- 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2; Rock Island County Board Ordinance No. 2024-11-A (effective February 1, 2025)
Data sourced from Illinois statutes and official state code. How we research.
Forms for Planning Your Estate in Illinois
Free forms for planning your estate in Illinois: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for Illinois.
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Last Will and Testament
In Illinois, a will is signed before 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavit755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Codicil to a Will
In Illinois, a codicil is signed before 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, like a will.
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Healthcare Power of Attorney
Illinois requires 1755 ILCS 45/4-10Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witness for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not required755 ILCS 45/4-10Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
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Free
HIPAA Release
In Illinois, a HIPAA release names who may receive your records and, as the state requires, names HIV/AIDS-related information, mental health records and genetic information410 ILCS 305/9(1)(b); 740 ILCS 110/5; 410 ILCS 513/15(a) and 410 ILCS 513/30(a)(2)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source expressly before a provider releases them.
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Free
Financial Power of Attorney
Illinois treats a power of attorney as durable by default755 ILCS 45/2-3, 45/2-5, 45/2-8, 45/2-10.6, 45/3-3, 45/3-3.6, 45/3-4; 765 ILCS 5/28; 755 ILCS 5/11-1Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed before 1755 ILCS 45/2-3, 45/2-5, 45/2-8, 45/2-10.6, 45/3-3, 45/3-3.6, 45/3-4; 765 ILCS 5/28; 755 ILCS 5/11-1Verified Sep 18, 2026View source witness and a notary.
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Transfer on Death Deed
In Illinois, a transfer on death instrument is signed before a notary755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95Verified Oct 18, 2026View source and 2755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, then recorded with the county before the owner's death755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95Verified Oct 18, 2026View source. Illinois does not recognize a Lady Bird deed.
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Free
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Illinois allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle title625 ILCS 5/3-104(a-5), 3-107(b-5)Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, filed through the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department using Form VSD 773.
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Free
Living Will
In Illinois, the living will is the Living Will Declaration755 ILCS 35 (Illinois Living Will Act), §§ 1-10Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a document of its own, apart from the healthcare power of attorney.
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Tools for Planning Your Estate in Illinois
Free tools for planning your estate in Illinois: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for Illinois and read its answer.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
In Illinois, a will is signed before 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not required755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Check the Rules
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Illinois recognizes a will signed under the law of the place where it was signed755 ILCS 5/7-1Verified Oct 18, 2026View source; a will signed in Illinois itself needs 2755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not required755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Illinois, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of 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 the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
Calculate Costs
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Illinois runs $3,680Estimate: 10 hours at $368, Clio's Illinois Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,520Estimate: 15 hours at $368, Clio's Illinois Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Illinois runs $1,002Estimate: 3 hours at $334, Clio's Illinois Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,004Estimate: 6 hours at $334, Clio's Illinois Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $25,745755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?
In Illinois, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing755 ILCS 5/11-5(a-1), 11-5(a)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18755 ILCS 5/11-1Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Probate in Illinois takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of 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 the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
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Illinois Estate Planning Articles
Estate planning articles for Illinois.
