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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Illinois

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Illinois?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Illinois. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Illinois is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.755 ILCS 5/25-1 (small estate), 5/27-1, 5/28-1 (independent admin)Verified May 31, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Illinois probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.755 ILCS 5/25-1 (small estate), 5/27-1, 5/28-1 (independent admin)Verified May 31, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Illinois probate calculator to estimate total costs.

Estates with personal property under $150,000 in Illinois may qualify for Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full probate.755 ILCS 5/25-1 (small estate), 5/27-1, 5/28-1 (independent admin)Verified May 31, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Illinois probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Illinois probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.755 ILCS 5/25-1 (small estate), 5/27-1, 5/28-1 (independent admin)Verified May 31, 2026

Total probate costs in Illinois include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Illinois probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Illinois. The Illinois probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Illinois

Probate attorney fees in Illinois typically range from 2%755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 to 4%755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 of the estate value. Personal property is part of that calculation, so reporting items at fair market value rather than original cost keeps the total lower.

Illinois allows simplified procedures for estates under $150,000755 ILCS 5/25-1 (small estate), 5/27-1, 5/28-1 (independent admin)Verified May 31, 2026. Fair market valuations of household items — which are typically far below purchase prices — can bring an estate under the threshold. The Illinois probate need checker evaluates eligibility.

Court filing fees in Illinois start at $479705 ILCS 105/27.1b(a)(2) (P.A. 103-0605 eff. 7/1/2024); 705 ILCS 105/27.3fVerified May 31, 2026. Combined with attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication costs, total probate expenses depend heavily on the reported estate value. The Illinois probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 31, 2026

Legal Sources

  • 705 ILCS 105/27.1b(a)(2) (P.A. 103-0605 eff. 7/1/2024); 705 ILCS 105/27.3f
  • 755 ILCS 5/25-1 (small estate), 5/27-1, 5/28-1 (independent admin)
  • 755 ILCS 5/27-2 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)

Data sourced from Illinois statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Illinois Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Illinois probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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Build your property inventory

Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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