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 Fayette 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.
Fayette County Circuit Court Guide
4th Judicial Circuit of Illinois · 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 | $356 |
Small Estate Affidavit For estates under threshold (no court filing needed) | $0 |
Note: Fayette County's published filing fees schedule (revised 10/2020) lists the probate filing fee at $256, equal to the county's Schedule 2 civil filing amount under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. The statewide $100 guardianship and advocacy operations fee (705 ILCS 105/27.3f) is charged on decedent estate administration filings in addition to the county card, so the stored $356 total is the $256 published filing charge plus the mandatory statewide $100 fee. Estate claim filing fees on the card are $25 (claims of $150.01 to $500), $40 ($500.01 to $10,000), and $60 ($10,000.01 or more); certified copies of letters are $2; a probate jury demand is $68.75 (6-person) or $137.50 (12-person). Publication of the claim notice is paid to the newspaper directly. The small estate affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1) is not filed with the court and has no court fee. Verify current amounts with the Fayette County Circuit Clerk before filing.
Fayette County's published filing fees schedule (revised 10/2020) lists the probate filing fee at $256, equal to the county's Schedule 2 civil filing amount under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. The statewide $100 guardianship and advocacy operations fee (705 ILCS 105/27.3f) is charged on decedent estate administration filings in addition to the county card, so the stored $356 total is the $256 published filing charge plus the mandatory statewide $100 fee. Estate claim filing fees on the card are $25 (claims of $150.01 to $500), $40 ($500.01 to $10,000), and $60 ($10,000.01 or more); certified copies of letters are $2; a probate jury demand is $68.75 (6-person) or $137.50 (12-person). Publication of the claim notice is paid to the newspaper directly. The small estate affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1) is not filed with the court and has no court fee. Verify current amounts with the Fayette County Circuit Clerk before filing.
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 (13)
- https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/Circuit-Court/circuit-court-clerks/illinois-circuit-court-clerks-by-district-and-circuit
- https://www.fayettecountyillinois.gov/county-offices/circuit-clerk/
- https://fourthcircuitil.com/
- https://researchil.tylerhost.net/CourtRecordsSearch/Home
- https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/
- https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Fulltext?DocName=075500050K25-1
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Fulltext?DocName=075500050K9-8
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Fulltext?DocName=075500050K18-3
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Fulltext?DocName=075500050K6-1
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Fulltext?DocName=070501050K27.1b
- https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Fulltext?DocName=070501050K27.3f
- https://www.fayettecountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Fayette-County-Filing-Fees-Schedule-Revised-10-2020.pdf