For anyone planning an estate in Illinois or settling one: what a will or trust costs, whether an estate needs probate, what executors and trustees are paid, and the taxes on an inheritance, each answered under Illinois law.
36 tools for Illinois
Probate in Illinois takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 1.9%755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Illinois authorizes transfer on death deeds755 ILCS 27/1 to 27/95Verified Jul 15, 2026: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
Illinois allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle title625 ILCS 5/3-104(a-5), 3-107(b-5)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source, filed through the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department using Form VSD 773.
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.
In Illinois, the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative and the Clerk of the Circuit Court issues Letters of Office; every appointment goes through the court755 ILCS 5/6-4, 5/9-4 (court admits the will and issues letters; no registrar/clerk informal appointment)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
In Illinois, creditors have 6 months755 ILCS 5/18-3 (claim date not less than 6 months from first publication, or 3 months from mailing, whichever is later); 5/18-12(b) (2-year outer bar from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
When an estate owes more than it holds, Illinois pays the claims in 7755 ILCS 5/18-10; 5/18-13Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with funeral and burial expenses, expenses of administration, statutory custodial claims, and final guardianship fees and costs as determined by the court.
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Illinois requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 104035 ILCS 5/201Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
In Illinois, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 1.9%755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
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 10, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
Settling a trust in Illinois happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statute760 ILCS 3/101 et seq.Verified Jul 15, 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.
After a death in Illinois, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $150,000755 ILCS 5/25-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 6 months755 ILCS 5/18-3 (claim date not less than 6 months from first publication, or 3 months from mailing, whichever is later); 5/18-12(b) (2-year outer bar from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.