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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 Stephenson 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.

Stephenson County Circuit Court Guide

Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois · Circuit Court information · Updated July 2026

(815) 235-8266Circuit 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: Stephenson County's published Filing Fees by Case Type page (fees effective January 1, 2022) lists the probate/estate (PR) filing fee for administration of a decedent's estate, testate or intestate, at $356.00, with guardianship filings at $256.00 and a probate jury demand at $68.75 (6 person) or $137.50 (12 person). The decedent-estate total reflects the civil case filing fee set by the county board under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b plus the flat $100 guardianship and advocacy operations fee on decedent estate 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 of the claim notice is paid directly to the newspaper. County fee schedule accessed 2026-07-18. Verify the current amounts with the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk before filing.

Stephenson County's published Filing Fees by Case Type page (fees effective January 1, 2022) lists the probate/estate (PR) filing fee for administration of a decedent's estate, testate or intestate, at $356.00, with guardianship filings at $256.00 and a probate jury demand at $68.75 (6 person) or $137.50 (12 person). The decedent-estate total reflects the civil case filing fee set by the county board under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b plus the flat $100 guardianship and advocacy operations fee on decedent estate 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 of the claim notice is paid directly to the newspaper. County fee schedule accessed 2026-07-18. Verify the current amounts with the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk before filing.

Required Documents

    E-Filing & Filing Methods

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    eFileIL (Odyssey File and Serve)Case SearchProbate Forms

    Records portal

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

    Open the records portal
    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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