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 Fulton 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.
Fulton County Circuit Court Guide
9th 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: Fulton County's published circuit clerk fee schedule (effective January 1, 2022) lists the Probate Estates filing fee at $356. The card's other Schedule 2 civil case types are $256, and the $100 added on the probate line matches the statewide guardianship and advocacy operations fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.3f, which applies to decedent estate administration filings, so the published $356 is the all-in charge to open a decedent's estate. Estate claim filing fees on the card are $25 (claims over $150 and less than $500), $40 (over $500 and less than $10,000), and $60 (over $10,000); each account filed other than the final accounting is $25; certified letters of office are $2; a probate jury demand is $135. 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 Fulton County Circuit Clerk before filing.
Fulton County's published circuit clerk fee schedule (effective January 1, 2022) lists the Probate Estates filing fee at $356. The card's other Schedule 2 civil case types are $256, and the $100 added on the probate line matches the statewide guardianship and advocacy operations fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.3f, which applies to decedent estate administration filings, so the published $356 is the all-in charge to open a decedent's estate. Estate claim filing fees on the card are $25 (claims over $150 and less than $500), $40 (over $500 and less than $10,000), and $60 (over $10,000); each account filed other than the final accounting is $25; certified letters of office are $2; a probate jury demand is $135. 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 Fulton 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 (14)
- https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/Circuit-Court/circuit-court-clerks/illinois-circuit-court-clerks-by-district-and-circuit
- https://fultoncountyil.gov/officials/elected/fulton-county-circuit-clerk/mission-and-duties-circuit-clerk/
- https://www.9thjudicial.org/
- 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.9thjudicial.org/locations/fulton-county/1/location-details
- https://fultoncountyil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cir-Clrk-Fee-Schedule-7282022.pdf