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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

(309) 547-3041Circuit Court

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Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

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Probate Filing Fees

Filing TypeFee
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

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    Records portal

    Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

    Filing Methods: e file, in person, by mail

    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

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