Estate Planning for Sangamon County, Illinois Property Owners

For most Sangamon 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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Sangamon 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 Sangamon 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, Sangamon County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Illinois probates run 6+ months and start with $276 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 Sangamon County

A transfer on death instrument names a beneficiary who receives Sangamon 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.

Create a Illinois TOD deed →Sangamon County signing requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Sangamon County are recorded with the County Recorder at 200 South 9th Street, Room 211, Springfield, IL 62701. Phone: 1-217-535-3150. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $64 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death instrument in Sangamon County comes to $64. A transfer on death instrument is exempt from transfer tax.

Sangamon County accepts electronic recording through ePN, Hopdox, CSC, Indecomm and Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Sangamon County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

200 South 9th Street, Room 211, Springfield, IL 62701

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Fees

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$64
Transfer tax on a TOD deedTOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax

55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2; Sangamon County Recorder Predictable Fee Schedule (effective July 1, 2023)

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Sangamon County

FirmSpringfield, IL

Barber, Segatto, Hoffee, Wilke & Cate LLP

Since 1897 · Serves 2 counties

Serves Sangamon County estates and trusts through the Springfield probate court, with a second office in Waverly reaching Morgan County. Attorneys guide executors from opening the estate through final accounting and represent heirs, executors, and trustees in will contests and trust litigation. Estate and income tax planning and business and agricultural succession round out the practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
831 E. Monroe StreetSpringfield, IL 62701

FirmJacksonville, IL

Bonjean Law Office

Serves 9 counties

Located directly across the street from the Morgan County Courthouse in Jacksonville, serving west central Illinois for over 35 years. Assists executors administering estates of varying complexity and litigates probate disputes for executors and aggrieved beneficiaries. Also handles estate planning and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationConservatorshipand 2 more

Office
309 W. State StreetJacksonville, IL 62650

FirmDecatur, IL

Bourey Law Offices

Serves 2 counties

Decatur firm serving Macon County and the surrounding area with wills, estates, and probate. Also handles guardianships of minors and disabled adults, covering both guardian of the person and guardian of the estate appointments, plus real estate transfers. The office does not charge for the initial estate consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipWills Trusts

Office
225 S. Main Street, Suite 100Decatur, IL 62523
Free consultation

FirmSpringfield, IL

Frazier, Sabin & Schlosser, LLP

Serves 1 county

Springfield firm on South 8th Street formed in a 2026 consolidation of Frazier & Sabin, LLP and Gates, Wise & Schlosser, P.C., serving Sangamon County and central Illinois. Advises executors and guardians on their duties and handles probate, intestacy, minor and adult guardianships, and will contests and probate litigation, alongside wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationConservatorshipand 2 more

Office
1231 S. 8th StreetSpringfield, IL 62703

FirmSpringfield, IL

Noll Law Office

Since 1948 · Serves 1 county

Springfield office across the street from the Sangamon County Courthouse, run by Daniel and Sarah Noll, fifth-generation lawyers in the Noll-Herndon family. Represents executors, independent administrators, and heirs through Illinois probate, and drafts wills and trusts alongside a larger personal-injury and criminal-defense practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts

Office
930 E Monroe StSpringfield, IL 62701
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSpringfield, IL

Scott & Scott, P.C.

Since 1947 · Serves 1 county

Springfield firm in the heart of downtown, a few blocks from the Sangamon County Courts Complex and across the street from the U.S. District Court. Handles probate matters, estate and trust administration, and guardianship proceedings, alongside wills and trusts, Medicaid planning, and estate and gift tax issues. Founded in 1947 by Robert F. Scott and run by three generations of the Scott family.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more

Office
611 E Monroe St, Suite 200Springfield, IL 62701
See all 17 firms serving Sangamon County →

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.

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Legal Sources

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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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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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