Use This County Probate Reference Before You File
This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Circuit Court contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Cook County.
Local Fee Schedule
Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.
Court Rules and Orders
Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.
Clerk and Filing Logistics
Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.
Cook County Circuit Court Guide
Circuit Court of Cook County (Cook Judicial Circuit) · Circuit Court information · Updated July 2026
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Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Formal Administration Standard probate for larger estates | $479 |
Small Estate Affidavit For estates under threshold (no court filing needed) | $0 |
Note: $479.00 to open a decedent estate. VERIFIED 2026-07-19 in a real browser from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County's own Probate Division page, FAQ "How do I open a Probate Estate without a Will?", step 3: "The cost for filing is $479.00". Note this published total runs above the 705 ILCS 105/27.1b Schedule 2 cap of $362 for a county of 3,000,000 or more plus the flat $100 fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.3f, and the Clerk does not itemize the difference, so treat $479 as the published total rather than a figure to recompute from the caps. There is NO fee to file a will alone with the Clerk. The small estate affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1) is presented directly to banks and other asset holders, not filed with the court, so it has no court filing fee. Newspaper publication costs are paid directly to the newspaper. Confirm with the Probate Division, (312) 603-6441.
$479.00 to open a decedent estate. VERIFIED 2026-07-19 in a real browser from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County's own Probate Division page, FAQ "How do I open a Probate Estate without a Will?", step 3: "The cost for filing is $479.00". Note this published total runs above the 705 ILCS 105/27.1b Schedule 2 cap of $362 for a county of 3,000,000 or more plus the flat $100 fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.3f, and the Clerk does not itemize the difference, so treat $479 as the published total rather than a figure to recompute from the caps. There is NO fee to file a will alone with the Clerk. The small estate affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1) is presented directly to banks and other asset holders, not filed with the court, so it has no court filing fee. Newspaper publication costs are paid directly to the newspaper. Confirm with the Probate Division, (312) 603-6441.
Required Documents
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Source ↗Records portal
Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.
Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- Verify locally
- Creditor Claims
- 6 months
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first publication of the claim notice
- Statute
- 755 ILCS 5/18-3; 755 ILCS 5/18-12
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Sources (11)
- https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/
- https://researchil.tylerhost.net/CourtRecordsSearch/Home
- https://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/
- https://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/divisions/probate-division
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1847&ChapterID=50&Print=True
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=2104&ChapterID=60&SeqStart=&ChapAct=FullText
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/PublicActs/View/104-0346
- https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/
- https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/circuit-court-clerks/
- https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/courts-circuit-court-chief-judges-and-administrative-staff/
- https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/