ProbateUS
Probate Court

Cook County

Illinois

(312) 603-6441

Phone

(312) 603-6441

Website

Official Site →

Email

probate.divatty@cookcountyil.gov

Court Location & Contact

Address

50 West Washington Street, Room 1202, Chicago, IL 60602

Visit Official Court Website

Filing Fees

Cook County, Illinois

Fee TypeAmount
Probate Estate Filing$479
Filing a Will (no estate)$0
Will Safekeeping Deposit$10

Probate Forms Library

75 fillable forms — scroll to browse

CCP0334 — 2603 Inventory (12/01/24) CCP 0334 IN THE CIRCUIT ...Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook CountycountyDownload
P-01 — Amended General Administrative Order 2023-P-01 (January 8, 2024)countyDownload
60.00 — Cook County Fingerprint Vendors ListcountyDownload
CCP0317 — Copy of WillcountyDownload
Example 1 Accounting FormIllinois Guardianship & Advocacy CommissioncountyDownload
in the circuit court of cook county, illinoisIllinois State Bar AssociationcountyDownload
RULE-298 — Instructions for Rule 298 Fee Waiver Applications (February 2025)countyDownload
CCP0221 — Instructions to GuardianscountyDownload
CCP0313 — Oath and Bond of Representative – No SuretycountyDownload
CCP0312 — Oath and Bond of Representative – SuretycountyDownload
CCP0319 — Order Admitting Will to Probate and Appointing RepresentativecountyDownload
CCP0209 — Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem for Alleged Disabled PersoncountyDownload
CCP0204 — Order Appointing Plenary Guardian for Disabled PersoncountyDownload
CCP0314 — Order Appointing Representative of Decedent’s Estate – IntestatecountyDownload
CCP0203 — Order Appointing Temporary GuardiancountyDownload
CCP1015 — Order Converting to Independent AdministrationcountyDownload
CCP1014 — Order Converting to Independent Administration for the Purpose of Closing EstatecountyDownload
CCP0305 — Order Declaring HeirshipcountyDownload
CCP0200 — Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Disabled PersoncountyDownload
CCP0302 — Petition for Letters of AdministrationcountyDownload
CCP0301 — Petition for Letters of Administration to CollectcountyDownload
CCP0316 — Petition for Probate of Will & for Letters of Administration with Will AnnexedcountyDownload
CCP0315 — Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters TestamentarycountyDownload
CCP0202 — Petition for Temporary GuardiancountyDownload
Probate Division Cover SheetcountyDownload
CCP0199 — Probate Division Cover SheetcountyDownload
CCP0229 — Proposed Appointed Guardian Checklist (Background Check)countyDownload
CCP0214 — Statement of Right to Discharge Guardian or Modify Guardianship OrdercountyDownload
CCP0201 — Summons for Appointment of Guardian for Disabled PersoncountyDownload
CCP0303 — Waiver of NoticecountyDownload
Zoom & Contact Information for the Probate Division - Remote Court ProceedingscountyDownload
1041 — Accumulation Distribution for Certain Complex TrustsfederalDownload
1041-T — Allocation of Estimated Tax Payments to BeneficiariesfederalDownload
1041 — Alternative Minimum Tax — Estates and TrustsfederalDownload
Application For Burial BenefitsfederalDownload
SSA-4 — Application for Child's Insurance BenefitsfederalDownload
SF 2800 — Application for Death Benefits (CSRS)federalDownload
SF 3104 — Application for Death Benefits (FERS)federalDownload
Application For DIC, Survivors Pension And/Or Accrued BenefitsfederalDownload
SS-4 — Application for Employer Identification NumberfederalDownload
706 — Application for Extension of Time To File a Return and/or Pay U.S. Estate TaxesfederalDownload
SSA-10 — Application for Widow's or Widower's Insurance BenefitsfederalDownload
1041 — Beneficiary's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.federalDownload
1041 — Capital Gains and Losses (Estates and Trusts)federalDownload
706-CE — Certification of Payment of Foreign Death TaxfederalDownload
FE6 — Claim for Death Benefits (FEGLI)federalDownload
VA40-1330 — Claim For Standard Government Headstone Or MarkerfederalDownload
SF 2818 — Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage as AnnuitantfederalDownload
FE7 — Designation Of Beneficiary (FEGLI)federalDownload
SF 2823 — Designation Of Beneficiary Federal Employees' Group Life InsurancefederalDownload
FS 5336 — Disposition of Treasury Securities Belonging to a Decedent's Estate Being Settled Without AdministrationfederalDownload
8855 — Election To Treat a Qualified Revocable Trust as Part of an EstatefederalDownload
1041 — Estimated Income Tax for Estates and TrustsfederalDownload
706 — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (Form 706)federalDownload
706-GS — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return for DistributionsfederalDownload
706-GS — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return for TerminationsfederalDownload
8971 — Information Regarding Beneficiaries Acquiring Property From a DecedentfederalDownload
56 — Notice Concerning Fiduciary RelationshipfederalDownload
706-GS — Notification of Distribution From a Generation-Skipping TrustfederalDownload
1041-V — Payment Voucher (Estate or Trust)federalDownload
I-360 — Petition For Amerasian, Widow(er), Or Special ImmigrantfederalDownload
2848 — Power of Attorney and Declaration of RepresentativefederalDownload
FS 1455 — Request By Owner or Person Entitled to Payment for Reissue of United States Savings BondsfederalDownload
706 HAS — Request for Discharge From Personal Liability Under IRC 2204 or 6905federalDownload
4810 — Request For Prompt Assessment Under Internal Revenue Code Section 6501(d)federalDownload
FS 1522 — Special Form of Request for Payment of United States Savings and Retirement SecuritiesfederalDownload
SSA-721 — Statement of Death by Funeral DirectorfederalDownload
1310 — Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased TaxpayerfederalDownload
706-NA — U.S. Estate Tax Return for Nonresident Not a Citizen of the U.S.federalDownload
706-QDT — U.S. Estate Tax Return for Qualified Domestic TrustsfederalDownload
1041 U — U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and TrustsfederalDownload
1041-A — U.S. Information Return Trust Accumulation of Charitable AmountsfederalDownload
706-A — United States Additional Estate Tax ReturnfederalDownload
706 UNITED — United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax ReturnfederalDownload
709 — United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax ReturnfederalDownload

Probate Guide

Probate in Cook County, Illinois

The Cook County Probate Court handles all matters related to the estates of deceased persons, including the validation of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, and the supervised distribution of assets. If you need to file for probate in Cook County, IL, this guide covers what you need to know.

What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. It involves validating the will (if one exists), identifying and inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to heirs and beneficiaries. In Illinois, the probate court in each county oversees this process.

When Is Probate Required in Illinois?

Probate is generally required when:

  • The deceased owned real estate solely in their name

  • The estate contains assets above Illinois's small estate threshold

  • There are disputes among heirs or creditors

  • Assets are not held in a trust or joint tenancy

Steps to File for Probate in Cook County

  1. Locate the will (if one exists) and gather the death certificate

  2. File a petition with the Cook County Probate Court to open probate

  3. Notify heirs and creditors as required by Illinois law

  4. Inventory the estate — identify all assets, debts, and liabilities

  5. Pay debts and taxes — settle outstanding obligations from estate funds

  6. Distribute remaining assets — according to the will or state intestacy laws

  7. Close the estate — file a final accounting with the court

How Long Does Probate Take?

In Illinois, probate typically takes 6 to 18 months depending on the complexity of the estate. Simple estates with no disputes may be resolved faster, while contested wills or complex asset distributions can take longer.

Do You Need a Probate Attorney?

While Illinois does not always require an attorney for probate, it is strongly recommended, especially for estates with significant assets, real estate, business interests, or potential disputes. A local probate attorney familiar with Cook County Probate Court procedures can help navigate the process efficiently.

Resources

For more information about the probate process, visit the Cook County Probate Court directly or consult with a local probate attorney. You can also explore tools like EverSettled for step-by-step estate settlement guidance.

Additional Notes

Located in the Daley Center. Staff Attorney: (312) 603-7545. Joseph Fleming: (312) 603-7546, joseph.fleming@cookcountyil.gov.

Office Hours

Monday-Friday8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

FAQ

Where do I file for probate in Cook County, IL?

Probate petitions for estates in Cook County are filed at the Cook County Probate Court. Contact the court directly for filing instructions and office hours.

How much does probate cost in Cook County?

Probate filing fees in Cook County, Illinois vary based on the estate value and type of petition. Contact the probate court clerk for the current fee schedule.

How long does probate take in Illinois?

Probate in Illinois typically takes 6 to 18 months. Timeline depends on estate complexity, creditor claims, and whether the will is contested.

Can I avoid probate?

Assets held in trusts, joint tenancy, or with designated beneficiaries (like life insurance and retirement accounts) can pass outside of probate. Consult with an estate planning attorney for strategies specific to your situation.

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Cook County?

While not always legally required in Illinois, a probate attorney is recommended for most estates, especially those involving real estate, business interests, or potential disputes among heirs.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

When someone dies intestate (without a will) in Illinois, their assets are distributed according to state intestacy laws. The Cook County Probate Court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate.

Probate Attorneys

Closest to this court, Illinois

J. Andrew (Andrew) Stone

Kozusko Harris Vetter Wareh Duncan LLP

Chicago · < 1 mi

General Trust & EstateInternational Trust & Estate+1

Robert (Bob) Hamilton

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

Chicago · < 1 mi

Anita Sarafa

J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Chicago · < 1 mi

General Trust & Estate

Karin Prangley

Brown Brothers Harriman Trust Company, NA

Chicago · < 1 mi

Lawrence (Larry) Richman

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP

Chicago · < 1 mi

General Trust & EstateBusiness Planning+3
See more attorneys near Cook County →

Related Resources

Illinois Probate Guide →All Illinois Courts →Financial Institutions →