Madison County Circuit Court Guide

Note: Madison County's circuit clerk feebook updated December 2, 2025 sets the civil Schedule 2 filing fee at $264.00 for probate (PR) cases and carves out Administration of the Estate of a Decedent, whether testate or intestate, or of a missing person, at $364.00, with filing a will under 755 ILCS 5/6-1 at no fee, the probate appearance fee at $189.00, estate claims at no fee (under $150), $25.00 ($150 to $500), $40.00 ($500 to $10,000), and $60.00 (over $10,000), certified copies of letters of office at $8.00, and a petition to reopen an estate at no fee. The fees were fixed by Madison County Board Ordinance 2019-05 under Public Act 100-987, and probate cases file in the Civil Section, Room 120 of the Madison County Courthouse. The decedent-estate total is the civil Schedule 2 case filing fee set by the county board under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b (probate cases are assigned to Schedule 2 by Illinois Supreme Court order M.R. 29741) plus the flat $100 guardianship and advocacy operations fee charged on decedent estate administration filings under 705 ILCS 105/27.3f. 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. County fee schedule accessed 2026-07-18. Verify the current amounts with the Madison County Circuit Clerk before filing.